Chasing a dream once again: Atletico desperate to trump Barcelona for La Liga glory

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Madrid, March 4: It was no more than a dream four-years-ago as it is now for Atletico Madrid. It went down to the last game of that season where Los Rojiblancos held Barcelona to claim their first title in 18 years.

With the two teams facing off, Barcelona could claim the title with a win, but Diego Godin equalized in the second half to finish the match at 1-1 and hand Atleti their title. It was the first time since the 2003–04 La Liga that a club other than Barcelona or Real Madrid won the league title.

With Barcelona still unbeaten this season in their riot running form, the Catalans had assembled an unassailable lead. However, a string of draws saw them losing momentum.

Atletico, on the other hand, were on a rampage, especially their star man and Barcelona’s top transfer target- Antoine Griezmann.

Seven goals in three days for the Frenchman, a hat-trick against Sevilla, four against Leganes, and next is Nou Camp. Barcelona’s midweek draw against Las Palmas meant Atleti were just 5 points behind the league leaders. And if the Madrid working-class pull off a win today, the lead could be cut down to just 2 points.

It’s real! The league is now a reality

While there has been a six-point swing in a month, there has been no great collapse, but there has been a shift to a sense that they are no longer in control. Barca have looked tired, uninspired, like the errors of before are more likely to be punished, less secure and less assured.

They are unbeaten in 26 league matches this season but have drawn three of their last five -- against Getafe, Espanyol and Las Palmas -- and those draws have felt little like defeats because Atletico have been ruthless, with eight wins and a draw in their last nine.

Diego Costa’s return has been a revelation for Atleti, more importantly for Griezmann, who is now more free and lethal to score. Until Costa's inclusion in January, he had seven goals and five assists. Since he has scored 13 and assisted five.

The game is touted to be a potential title decider and also probably the last time that Griezmann plays away at Nou Camp.