Atletico Madrid are facing into, arguably, the most important three weeks in the history of their club. The title is, as they say, "in their own hands". Four more wins in La Liga and they will have beaten Spain's "big two" to an unlikely title.
They must win each game, however, and thinking ahead at this stage could be perilous to what Diego Simeone and his charges are trying to achieve.
A trip to Valencia CF on Sunday afternoon awaits them in their quest for domestic supremacy.
Valencia are unbeaten at home in 10 games against Atletico with six wins and four draws to boast from these games. Atletico have never won nine league games on the trot and they are currently on an eight game winning streak, four of those were away from home. Every week the same thing is said, but this is the kind of game that could and will decide the title.
A win in the Mestalla leaves a trip to Levante and a battle in the Vincente Calderon against Malaga before they head north to face Barcelona in the Nou Camp on the 18th of May.
Valencia currently sit 8th in the league, and lie seven points behind 7th placed Villarreal. Safe from relegation with no chance of a spot in Europe, it would appear that they have nothing to play for, but with Atletico's stature rising steadily on a weekly basis, it would be a major scalp if they were to take points from the league leaders.
In terms of injuries, Atletico are in a good position and the return of Arda Turan during the week could prove pivotal in how their season pans out. They have no notable injuries that have been reported. Valencia on the other hand have defenders Phillippe Senderos, Victor Ruiz, Ricardo Costa and goalkeeper Diego Alves all injured but nearing return. It remains to be seen whether they feature or not.
Given the rigid style that Simeone plays, the importance of this tie and how exhausted the Atletico Madrid players must be, it will be interesting to see how he lines up. Tired bodies lead to tired minds and possible individual errors. It is not something you associate with a Diego Simeone squad and on Sunday, the Argentinian will be trying to ensure his squad don't collapse at such a late and important time of what could be a special season.