Antoine Griezmann claims it is a good time to play Barcelona as Real Sociedad look for a relegation boost against the all-conquering Catalans.
Barca head to Sociedad on Saturday buoyed by their 2-0 Champions League win at Real Madrid on Wednesday in a fractious encounter lit up only by the brilliance of Lionel Messi.
Messi grabbed two late goals at the Bernabeu, the second a trademark dribble and finish, to edge his side closer to the Wembley final.
Pep Guardiola's men are also eight points clear at the top of the Primera Division and look well set to claim the trophy for a third successive year.
Sociedad are fighting a different kind of battle: to remain in the top flight.
They have won just one of their last nine games and lie three points above the bottom three but Griezmann remains confident they can spring a huge surprise at the Anoeta at the weekend.
He said: "We must play on the counter-attack, as Real Madrid did.
"We must be a team without fear, be strong at the back and create when we have the ball.
"If there is a good time to play Barca it is now.
"And I believe that with the help of our fans we can get something.
"We have the talent to win this game and the ones which follow it."
Second-placed Madrid will look to bounce back from their midweek disappointment when they host Real Zaragoza, another side in danger at the wrong end of the table, on Saturday.
Zaragoza beat Almeria 1-0 on Monday to climb out of the relegation zone but are likely to find it more difficult against a Madrid side smarting from their controversial loss to Barca.
Jose Mourinho's men had Pepe dismissed on the hour mark before succumbing to Messi's double.
After the game, Mourinho criticised referee Wolfgang Stark and suggested there was an agenda at UEFA to help Barca in Champions League ties.
Saturday's other game sees Atletico Madrid go to Deportivo La Coruna.
Atletico are looking good for a place in next season's Europa League while Depor are five places, but just three points, clear of the drop zone.
The dogfight to remain in the Primera Division continues on Sunday with a number of key fixtures.
Rock-bottom Almeria, who are all but gone, take on European hopefuls Sevilla while the most important game sees second-bottom Hercules visit a Malaga side currently a point clear of trouble.
Osasuna, in 18th, host Valencia whose three-match winning streak ended at home to Real Madrid last weekend, Racing Santander take on Real Mallorca and Getafe go to Villarreal.
Levante meet Sporting Gijon in a clash of mid-table sides and Monday's action sees Athletic Bilbao go to Espanyol.
