Joao Cancelo targets full Barcelona control against Atletico in Champions League clash

The two sides will be meeting for the second time in four days after Barca came from behind to beat Atletico 2-1 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in a La Liga clash last Saturday.

However, the Catalans will be wary of the Mattress Makers, who eliminated them from the Copa del Rey last month after hanging onto a 4-3 aggregate win despite having won the first leg 4-0.

"We have to control the match and try to get the victory in a competition that is very important to us," said Cancelo at the pre-match conference.

"We all dream about going through the tie, but there is a team that wants the same as us. We'll do what we can and are highly motivated to go through and reach the semifinals."

Barcelona are aiming to win their first continental title since the 2014/15 season and the versatile Portugal fullback is confident his abilities will boost the team to achieve their targets.

"As the weeks go by and I train with my teammates, you would expect my talent to start to show," added the 31-year-old.

"No one believes in me more than I do. I always try to help the team to achieve its goals. The dynamic and the pressure are different. We take risks, but that's the Barça way. Flick tells us to constantly press high and that way you can control the game most of the time."

Cancelo has made 13 appearances in his second stint for Barcelona on loan from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, scoring once and providing four assists.

READ MORE: How the Maake Family Is Building Bridges Between South Africa and Mainz