Barcelona host Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night in the midst of a crisis.

The Catalans have surrendered first place in LaLiga Santander to Real Madrid since the resumption of the season and Quique Setien is losing his grip on the dressing room.

Barcelona's coaching staff have a battle on their hands to convince their players, whose behavior and comments are raising eyebrows.

Lionel Messi was seen ignoring assistant coach Eder Sarabia at Balaidos on Saturday, while Luis Suarez's comments afterward hinted at dissatisfaction with his coaches.

The prospect of dropping more points against an in-form Atletico Madrid would surely lead to consequences at the Camp Nou.

Back-up plans

The tension between coaches and players is generating serious doubts over Setien's future.

The names of Xavi Hernandez and Xavi Garcia Pimienta are already on the table as possible successors in the Barcelona dugout.

In the meantime, Setien will be without the injured Frenkie de Jong and Ousmane Dembele against Atletico, but Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto are available again.

The Barcelona boss won't be rotating his squad for this titanic clash and will field his strongest team against Diego Simeone's side.

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Contrasting fortunes

While the problems at Barcelona are piling up, Atletico have been given a new lease of life since the season's resumption.

Los Rojiblancos have climbed from sixth to third in the table in the space of five games, of which they've won their last four.

After a tough transition year following the departures of several key players, including Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona, Atletico are in their best form.

However, Atletico's recent form at the Camp Nou is well documented.

Simeone is yet to win away at Barcelona in LaLiga Santander, although he has twice knocked the Blaugrana out of the Champions League and clinched the LaLiga title at the Camp Nou.

MARCA