Atletico lose again, Barca in Osasuna odyssey

Atletico Madrid’s poor form continued with a 2-0 loss at Levante on Saturday, while league leaders Barcelona were forced into a marathon cross-country trek ahead of their match at Osasuna.

It was a third successive loss for Atletico, the Europa League holders, following 3-2 home defeats by Espanyol and Greek side Aris Salonika and the club now lie in seventh place, five points off the top four.

Victoriano Nano gave Levante a second-minute lead after Atletico failed to defend a corner and Ecuador forward Felipe Caicedo, on loan from Manchester City, scored a fine goal on 58 minutes for his fifth strike of the campaign.

Levante move up to 15th and the promoted side are faring much better than their last assault on the top flight in 2007-08, when the team were bottom for the entire season and ended up relegated with 26 points.

Champions Barca have been lapping up the plaudits all week after their sensational 5-0 drubbing of bitter rivals Real Madrid in Monday night’s Clasico at Camp Nou and will hope to extend their perfect away record with a win at Osasuna later on Saturday.

Barcelona, two points above Real, have won all six of their league games on the road but come up against an Osasuna side who have yet to lose at home this season.

The game was close to be being postponed after an air traffic controllers strike prevented Barca from flying, but the Catalans made the trip using a combination of trains and buses to reach Pamplona and the game will go ahead as planned.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has called for calm after Monday’s night’s heroics and warned that Real would be pumped up for revenge.

“We aren’t the best team in history and it wasn’t the best game in history,” said Guardiola. “Real Madrid will be twice as dangerous after what happened at Camp Nou and it is impossible to repeat the 5-0.”

The rout was the heaviest ever defeat for Real boss Jose Mourinho, who has demanded a positive reaction from his side when they host Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu later on Saturday.

“I talked with the players in the dressing room after the Barcelona game for three or four minutes and I haven’t done it again,” said Mourinho.

“That match has finished.”

Real have a perfect six home wins in the league and can call on top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, who has overcome an ankle injury and is set to start against Valencia.

“He (Ronaldo) has real character and always wants to play,” said Mourinho. “He didn’t have any problems training and will play against Valencia.”

Valencia are fifth, eight points behind Real, and winger Joaquin hopes his side can heap more misery on Madrid by ending their 100 percent record at the Bernabeu.

“It wouldn’t be strange if we won at the Bernabeu as we have done it before,” said Joaquin. “They want to improve their image in front of their own fans and we want to continue up near the top of the table.”