Currently sitting second in La Liga, Fernandez's side are six points behind table-toppers Barcelona, who will be looking to extend their lead when the sides meet at Camp Nou on Sunday.

And the 29-year-old was quick to single out Messi as Barca's main threat.

"We've been debating how to stop Messi for 10 years. It's difficult because he's the most talented player in the world. With the ball at his feet he's almost unstoppable," he told reporters.

"Above all else, we have to play as a team and keep it tight so that he can't find the space he needs to go past people."

After a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, the guests will be looking to bounce back this weekend.

"(Manager, Diego) Simeone has told us that after the Bernabeu game, we owe it to ourselves. The team didn't play the game as we wanted to, or know how to, and we have to prove ourselves on Sunday," Fernandez said.

"A win at the Camp Nou would take us to 40 points, which Atletico Madrid has never had this early in the season.

"Of course a win would be nice, but more importantly a step in the right direction, because it would move us closer to our goal, which is to be up there with the best, in the Champions League. We're going there to win."