Barcelona vs Atletico de Madrid preview - Barca out to rise above crisis talk

Barcelona have the chance to lift the crisis talk engulfing the club by claiming a morale-boosting win over one of their Primera Division title rivals on Sunday.

Under-fire Luis Enrique's side welcome Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp looking for a first league win of a year which has started with reports of dressing-room unrest and speculation over the future of Lionel Messi. A number of players are said to be unhappy with Enrique's tactical and coaching methods since he replaced Gerardo Martino in the summer.

The Catalan club began 2015 with a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad and the following day sacked sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, with former captain Carles Puyol leaving his role as Zubizarreta's assistant hours later.

A week earlier the club had lost their appeal to overturn a one-year transfer ban imposed by FIFA for violating rules for registering youth players.

President Josep Maria Bartomeu announced in the week that the club would hold early elections at the end of the season, bringing them forward by 12 months in order to recover "stability".

He also stated that neither Messi nor Enrique were going anywhere, but that message has done nothing to stop the possible exit talk.

Enrique praised Bartomeu's decision to bring forward the elections, telling the club website: "I think it was very generous of the president and his board. I hope he turns out to be right and that this brings a bit of calm so that we can be as united as possible in the second half of the season."

On the pitch, Barca got back to winning ways with a 5-0 Copa Del Rey win at home to Elche on Thursday night, but champions Atletico will be a different proposition.

The two sides are level on points in pursuit of leaders Real Madrid, with Atletico beating their city rivals in the cup in midweek.

There was some booing from the crowd during the Elche game, but Enrique believes his side are ready for the second half of the season.

He said: "I am super confident that we are ready for the rest of the season and I'm trying to get that confidence across to the team.

"In most of our games we've faced opponents that have played it very tight at the back. And that makes it difficult for our players to get comfortable.

"I don't know of any team in the world that has been able to play well for 38 matches in a row. Not even the best Barca of all time managed that.

"I want to see the support they give to the players in a positive light. It's the players that need the fans because they are the protagonists. Support from the fans is a basic factor for winning trophies."

Full-back Jordi Alba, whose early own goal was decisive against Sociedad, was also keen to present a united front in the face of the talk of unrest.

"Luis Enrique has already said that everything is fine among the players," he said. "What we say in the dressing room stays in the dressing room, whether that means Leo or any other player.

"Thanks to the unity we have always had at Barca, this will just make us stronger. I respect all opinions, but I do think we all need to stick together."

Fernando Torres could make his second league debut for Atletico at the Nou Camp, having featured against Real following his loan signing from AC Milan.

Midfielder Cani has also arrived on loan to play for Diego Simeone's side, from Villarreal, and is looking forward to playing alongside Torres.

"I know Fernando personally as well as professionally," he told the club's website. "He can provide everything, from the excitement we experienced the other day, with the packed stadium for the presentation, to the many years he's provided football-wise. It's a terrific signing."