Misfiring Barca seeks response at Atletico

MADRID — Barcelona can redress its stuttering domestic form by sealing its passage to the Champions League semifinals when it visits Atletico Madrid Wednesday. Last season’s treble winner Barca is in its worst run of form in La Liga since coach Luis Enrique took charge in August 2014, losing its last two games to Real Madrid and Real Sociedad and drawing with Villarreal. Although those results have seen its La Liga lead over second-placed Atletico cut to three points, Barca is still on track to become the first Spanish team to win the treble two years in a row, with the King’s Cup final against Sevilla coming up next month. The visitors take a 2-1 lead from the first leg into the return match at the Vicente Calderon, Luis Suarez’s double having cancelled out Fernando Torres’ opener after the former Chelsea striker was sent off in the 35th minute. “There’s no time for apologies or excuses, we need results. It’s not the time to sink low and think that we’re on a horrible run,” said Luis Enrique. “There are reasons to be optimistic although the results have not been what we want.” Thomas Vermaelen is out and Rafinha doubtful due to injury but Barca top scorer Suarez returns after the Uruguayan served a suspension. Luis Enrique is also likely to recall Jordi Alba, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic after starting them on the bench in the 1-0 defeat by Sociedad at the weekend. Atletico is dreaming of a repeat of its 2014 quarterfinal second leg against Barca when an early goal by Koke delivered a 1-0 win and 2-1 aggregate victory. Benfica coach faces another test of ability to improvise Benfica coach Rui Vitoria faces another test of his powers of improvisation as he tries to patch up a team without topscorer Jonas against Bayern Munich also Wednesday. The Portuguese champion and league leader was beaten 1-0 in the first leg last week, a narrow enough margin to give it a chance of producing a major upset at the Stadium of Light. But with Brazilian marksman Jonas suspended following three yellow cards, the likelihood of beating Bayern for the first time after seven failed attempts and ending a 26-year wait since Benfica’s last semifinals appearance looks more remote. Bayern, which has reached the semifinals for the last four seasons, remains the clear favorite. Pep Guardiola’s side has been typically dominant this season with a seven-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga and only three defeats all season. The Bavarians’ record also bodes badly for Benfica. They have faced Portuguese sides nine times in European knockout ties and won them all.