From the moment the fixtures were drawn, Barcelona players and supporters alike would have viewed their clash against Atletico Madrid in the third week of the season as a stiff test.

To head to the Vicente Calderon is never easy, especially not now Diego Simeone has reinforced his side with some intriguing attacking options to go with their usual steely resolve and combative nature.

But circumstances have transformed a tough match into a huge challenge for Luis Enrique side.

Atletico, who on Wednesday welcomed Filipe Luis back to training after injury, per Sport, have no injuries, suspensions or absences to worry about.

That is not the case for the visitors.

There is a big question mark over Gerard Pique’s availability for the game.

As things stand, the Spanish centre-back is suspended for the clash, the third game of a four-match ban.

However, according to Sport, Barcelona will take the case up with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a bid to get the punishment temporarily lifted:

Barcelona are set to present their case in front of the Court of Arbitration for Sport as they seek to reduce Gerard Pique’s suspension. The Blaugrana will do so on Wednesday and hope that the CAS don’t have time to make a decision before the end of the week, which would free the defender up to play against Atletico at the Vicente Calderon.

It may be that the CAS decide to keep Pique’s four-game ban in place, but if there’s no decision immediately, Luis Enrique may have the player available for this weekend’s hugely important fixture. The number of injuries in defence mean it would be beneficial to have Pique available.

Missing Pique is a big enough problem already given the key role the defender played in winning the title last season.

Thomas Vermaelen has performed brilliantly so far in his stead, but the clash against Atletico will be a challenge on a different scale for the Belgian.

It could be the moment his career really takes off in Catalonia, or it could prove to be a further puncture.

But the problems don’t end there for Luis Enrique’s side.

There is also the absence of right-back Dani Alves with a groin injury. His back-up, Douglas, has been injured for weeks too.

However, with the Brazilian duo out of action and Martin Montoya on loan to Inter Milan, Sergi Roberto has stepped up to the mark.

The midfielder is being converted into a right-back by Lucho, and his performances against Athletic Club and Malaga in that spot were excellent.

Unfortunately for Barcelona, Sport said the club has been keeping quiet over a muscle injury he has suffered.

Sergi may yet be fit to play against Atletico, but if not, reserve left-back Adriano may be shifted over to the right flank, which would be a real problem.

The Brazilian is not good enough to keep out a side like Atletico, and it would be no surprise to see Antoine Griezmann peel off to the left to take advantage of Adriano during the game.

To make matters worse, a new casualty is Claudio Bravo.

The Chilean goalkeeper asked to be excluded from his national squad for personal reasons and remained in the Catalan capital to train during the break.

Sadly for him, he hurt his calf in training and is expected to be out of action for three weeks, his agent, Cristian Ogalde, explained to radio show Al Aire Libre (h/t Sport).

That means Marc-Andre ter Stegen is poised to make his debut in La Liga.

The German goalkeeper should have few problems, having already won the Champions League and Copa del Rey as a first choice, but Barcelona’s goalkeepers have been picked on lately.

As noted by Graham Hunter on ESPN FC, the use of Bravo and Ter Stegen as sweeper-keepers has lured teams into shooting from distance to dangerous effect. He wrote:

I asked Enrique about the Barcelona style for ‘keepers after the match, and he said that it wouldn’t change: It was a vital part of their offensive and defensive strategy. But he also said quite clearly that these two instances were errors and that they must be corrected.

Until they are, watch out for every team in La Liga bombarding the Barcelona goal the instant the Spanish champions lose possession almost anywhere on the pitch.

To make matters worse, Ter Stegen shipped eight goals in two games earlier this season and has since been replaced by Bravo.

That might have given the German’s confidence a bit of a battering, with the Chilean keeping two clean sheets in La Liga in the two games so far.

With a defence weakened by both injury and suspension and Bravo’s injury, Atletico Madrid can expect some joy when they attack on Saturday night.

It makes what was always going to be a tricky match extremely difficult, and Barcelona will be praying their attacking stars can find their form at the Calderon.

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