Atlético Madrid’s Disappointing Start to LaLiga
In a disappointing start to their LaLiga campaign, Atlético Madrid suffered a 2-1 loss against Espanyol, a result that left manager Diego Simeone acknowledging the team’s emotional setback. The match at RCDE Stadium saw Atlético initially take the lead with a stunning free kick from Julián Álvarez in the 37th minute.
However, Espanyol rallied back late in the match, with goals from Miguel Rubio and Pere Milla sealing their victory, much to the delight of new shareholder and former NFL star J.J. Watt, who watched the game live.
Manager’s Reflections
Simeone, who fielded five of his new summer signings, including USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso, who was taken off at halftime, expressed disappointment at the outcome.
“Espanyol capitalized on the opportunities they had,”
Simeone stated in a post-match interview with Movistar.
“We controlled the game well initially, but the set-piece for Rubio’s goal shifted momentum. The second goal was particularly painful for us.”
Looking Ahead
This season, Atlético has significantly boosted their roster with seven new players, aiming to challenge the dominance of rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid after a trophy-less previous season. Despite the setback, Simeone remained optimistic, suggesting that such defeats can serve as a catalyst for improvement.
“This situation is part of our journey. Although this loss stings, it can help us evolve. I’ll focus on the positives from our game and work on areas where we can improve,”
he remarked.
Captain’s Insights
Club captain Koke, who was substituted in the second half alongside teammate Pablo Barrios, echoed the need for efficiency in front of goal.
“Football requires sharpness in both offensive and defensive areas, and we fell short today. We understand the demands of this league, and we need to be more clinical to succeed,”
Koke emphasized.
J.J. Watt’s Involvement
J.J. Watt, who has recently become involved with the ownership of Espanyol through Velocity Sports Limited, also acknowledged the team’s efforts, sharing a video on social media of himself engaging with the fans prior to the match. With this loss, Atlético must regroup quickly as they look to navigate the challenges ahead in the season.
