Simeone calls for unity as Atletico look to close La Liga gap with Barcelona

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone insists his side have every intention of going to Camp Nou and trying to beat Barcelona this weekend.

Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann kept their La Liga title challenge alive with a 2-0 win over Girona at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday.

Atleti head to Catalonia on Saturday for a mouth-watering clash against Ernesto Valverde's side, who saw their lead at the summit cut to eight points after a sensational 4-4 draw against Villarreal, last-gasp goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suàrez rescuing the champions.

"The important thing is that we are all together. I have always seen that the important thing was that union".

Atletico made a laboured start amid distracting scenes in the stands, as fans staged a 12th-minute walk-in protest due to a perceived lack of appreciation from the players following the Champions League defeat to Juventus.