SOCCER: 'It's a match to make history' Atletico's Koke excited to face Barca in the Champion League

Atletico Madrid captain Koke said on Monday (April 13) their upcoming Champions League quarter-final second leg against Barca is an "opportunity to make history".

Goalkeeper Jan Oblak trained with the rest of the squad earlier in the day and could be available after missing recent matches through injury, offering a boost to coach Diego Simeone ahead of the decisive clash at the Metropolitano.

At a news conference Koke also said Atletico will need personality and composure against a Barcelona side that presses high and looks to dominate possession, stressing the importance of keeping the ball against opponents the team know well after several meetings this season.

He also credited Simeone, who's future is under growing speculation after 15 years at the helm, for Atletico’s sustained growth, saying the players continue to trust fully in the coach’s ideas.

Simeone said pre-match plans count for little once the game begins but insisted his side are determined to play the match on the front foot.

Atletico defeated Barca in the first leg 0-2 after the Catalan side were reduced to 10 men.

-Michael Gore and Silvio Castellanos/Reuters