The World Today
Atlético takes a hit in their debut against Espanyol
Rubio and Pere Milla overturned Julián Álvarez's 0-1 deficit in the final 20 minutes.
MADRID, 17 (EUROPA PRESS)
Atlético de Madrid fell (2-1) to Espanyol this Sunday in the first matchday of LaLiga EA Sports held at the RCDE Stadium, letting slip, with two goals in the final stretch, a much more favorable debut when it seemed they had the situation under control.
Diego Pablo Simeone's team got off to a poor start in a campaign that was filled with excitement thanks to the many good reinforcements. Julián Álvarez made his first mistake of the season in the first half, with a free kick that went straight into the top corner, and came close to sealing the win with a shot that hit the post in the second half.
Espanyol, who never let their tempers slip, struggled to get back into the game with Miguel Rubio's equalizer 20 minutes from time. Atleti suffered the blow and had no reaction to the growing "perica" on the pitch and in the stands, which Pere Milla finished off in the 85th minute with a stunning goal that made Cornellà-El Prat explode.
The red-and-white challenger made a mess of things to start, spoiling the positive feeling they had enjoyed at times. The home side's strong start forced 'Cholo's' team to get serious, and they looked to find the opponent's goal with Álex Baena in charge. Thiago Almada also had a good showing, as did Johnny Cardoso, but a goal eluded them until 'La Araña' fired in a direct free kick.
Manolo González's team showed their strengths in a season they hope will strengthen last season's fight, with the strong signings of Roberto Fernández and Carlos Romero, who troubled the Madrid side at the back. The possible injury to Ramón Terrats and his substitution at halftime wasn't the best news for the 'Pericos', in a game of substitutions also at Atleti.
Simeone brought on Koke, Griezmann, and Pablo Barrios, who dominated the midfield and combined a great array of passes to his team, eventually establishing himself in a dangerous area. However, Julián Álvarez missed the clearest chance, and Espanyol, aware of the poor condition of the pitch, opted to lift the ball and look for a quicker route.
Thus, with Edu Expósito well on the mark, Espanayol began to create danger around Jan Oblak, as in the 1-1 draw by the newly arrived Miguel Rubio. Atlético's marking failed, and in the end, Espanyol's substitutions were the ones that made the most sense. Pere Milla, also a substitute, scored a tremendous header to seal the comeback against an opponent who had neither physical nor mental reaction.
The last one came from Antoine Griezmann, after another well-crafted play, but with the ball too lively as it rolled along the ground, sending it soaring. Atleti failed to start, earning points that Espanyol won't want to do, with the new owners in the box, so they don't have to suffer or even fight for anything else in this new season.
TECHNICAL SHEET.
–RESULT: ESPANYOL, 2 – ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 1. (0-1, halftime).
–LINEUPS:
ESPANYOL: Dimitrovic; El Hilali, Calero (Rubio, min. 66), Cabrera, Romero; Pol Lozano, Edu Expósito, Terrats (Kike García, half-time), Jofre (Dolan, half-time), Puado (Salinas, min. 88) and Roberto (Pere Milla, min. 74).
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Cardoso (Barrios, half-time), Gallagher (Koke, half-time), Giuliano, Almada (Raspadori, 68th minute), Baena (Griezmann, 68th minute) and Julian Alvarez (Sorloth, 82nd minute).
–GOALS:
0 – 1, min.37, Julián Álvarez.
1 – 1, min.73, Rubio.
2 – 1, min.85, Pere Milla.
–REFEREE: Busquets Ferrer (Balearic Islands). He booked Calero (54th minute), El Hilali (73rd minute), and Salinas (93rd minute) for Espanyol. He booked Cardoso (42nd minute), Le Normand (68th minute), and Llorente (72nd minute) for Atlético.
–STADIUM: RCDE Stadium.
