Espanyol’s Spirit Shines As Atletico Madrid Slip In La Liga Opener

Atletico Madrid’s 2025-26 La Liga campaign began with a shock twist in Barcelona, as Espanyol overturned an early deficit to claim a dramatic 2-1 win at the RCDE Stadium. For Diego Simeone, it was more than just a defeat; it was the end of a proud record that had lasted since his arrival in 2011.

A Record Broken

Since Simeone took charge of Atletico, his sides had always avoided defeat on the opening weekend of La Liga. That streak is now over. Despite looking comfortable in the first half and creating chances — including a near miss from Julian Alvarez — Atletico let the match slip in the final stretch. Espanyol debutant Miguel Rubio equalised with a towering header before Pere Milla sealed the comeback with a late strike that sent the home crowd into raptures.

Simeone Reflects On Missed Chances

In his post-match reflections, Simeone struck a familiar tone of frustration mixed with optimism. “We lost but I hold on to the good things that appeared,” he said. He pointed to the team’s lack of sharpness in decisive moments, acknowledging that Espanyol took full advantage of their opportunities.

Substitutions also became a talking point. Thiago Almada, Alex Baena, and Johnny Cardoso were brought on, but Atletico seemed to lose rhythm after the changes. Julian Alvarez, withdrawn despite an impressive outing, looked visibly irritated on the sidelines — a moment that fans quickly picked up on. Simeone brushed it off, noting that such frustration is “normal” for any player desperate to stay on the pitch.

Espanyol’s Night To Remember

For Espanyol, this wasn’t just three points; it was a statement of intent. The club, which has often lived in the shadow of city rivals Barcelona, turned the night into a celebration of resilience and unity. On social media, the club thanked the 29,612 fans who packed the stadium, posting clips of Rubio’s debut goal and Milla’s winner under the banner of “orgull perico” (perico pride).

Social Media Reactions

On X, Atletico’s posts felt subdued, sharing Simeone’s press conference and a captain Koke Resurreccion interview that stressed the need for clinical finishing. Espanyol’s timeline, on the other hand, exploded with jubilation — fans declaring the result proof of their club’s fighting spirit. Neutral supporters also weighed in, noting that Atletico’s tendency to falter in high-pressure moments may continue to haunt their title ambitions.

What This Means For Atletico

It’s only the first weekend of the season, but for a club chasing Barcelona and Real Madrid, fine margins matter. Simeone’s challenge will be to sharpen Atletico’s attack, particularly when in control of games, and to turn bright passages of play into goals. While one loss does not define a season, the symbolic breaking of his unbeaten opener streak adds a psychological wrinkle that Atletico must overcome quickly.

As for Espanyol, the win offers an injection of confidence and a reminder that La Liga’s so-called underdogs are more than capable of delivering heartbreak to giants.

Source:Sabc Sport

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