MADRID - Barcelona forward Lionel Messi believes it is only a matter of time before his side relieve Real Madrid of top spot in the Primera Liga.
The league's second-placed team visit an out-of-sorts Atletico Madrid on Saturday on the back of a 15-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
A 94th-minute equaliser from Xavi kept that run going in the Copa del Rey in midweek when they drew 1-1 at home to Valencia in the opening leg of their semi-final clash.
That performance typified a new found fighting spirit at the club that was sorely lacking earlier in the campaign.
Last weekend's 5-1 thrashing of basement boys Levante, combined with Real's 1-0 defeat to Getafe, saw the gap at the top narrow to just two points with 13 matches remaining.
"We know that is all up to us now and we have proven that if we want to play, we can. We have shown that in the last few games," Argentina international Messi said.
"The most important thing is that we are more united than ever. The way we are playing, we can travel to any stadium and put in a good performance.
"If we don't end up as leaders this weekend, it will be the following weekend."
Real Madrid have lost three of their last four matches and visit lowly Recreativo Huelva on Saturday.
Barca's Brazil forward Ronaldinho was rested for the midweek Cup match and is likely to return to the squad for Saturday, while Mexican defender Rafael Marquez continues to recover from injury and is a doubt.
Atletico are understandably nervous about Barca's visit having suffered their biggest ever home defeat in the league against Saturday's opponents when they were hammered 6-0 last season.
That result was reportedly the reason behind Fernando Torres' decision to leave and join Liverpool, and effectively ended their hopes of qualifying directly for Europe.
Atletico are in the middle of a woeful run of form at present having been knocked out of the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Cup in recent weeks, and have lost four of their last six fixtures in the league.
Captain Maxi Rodriguez said: "We aren't in crisis. Although it has been a blow to go out of the cups, we are still fourth in the league and hold our future in our own hands.
"Rather than be concerned about Barca, we need to worry about what we do. If we play badly we could concede six again. We need to be intelligent and make sure we don't give them any space.
"We need to change our mindset, collect three points, and start to turn the season round."
Coach Javier Aguirre, whose future has been a hot topic in the local media, is boosted by the returns from suspension of top scorer Sergio Aguero, midfielder Raul Garcia and centre back Pablo Ibanez.
Portugal winger Simao Sabrosa is also available again after injury, but Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta is out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery during the week.
