Atleti leave Espanyol winless

Espanyol are now the only team in La Liga without a win, after their home defeat to high-flying Atletico Madrid.

After a quiet opening half-hour in which visitors Atleti had a couple of half-chances, they took the lead through Raul Garcia’s well-taken diving header when unmarked in the area during open play.

Whistles met the half-time whistle, with Espanyol doing little to suggest that they could find a way back into proceedings, with Diego Simeone’s side unimpressive but still comfortable.

Espanyol changed tactics for a second time entering the second half through Mauricio Pochettino’s dictation from the stands – there through suspension – and whilst they took more of the possession, they struggled to find a way through Atleti’s defence, whilst the capital side threatened on their occasional venture down the other end.

In a frantic final few minutes, both teams had golden opportunities to score, but neither could capitalise as the single strike from the first half decided matters.

The 1-0 result sees Atleti retake second spot in the table, whilst Espanyol are now cut adrift at the bottom of the table and, after wins for Granada and Osasuna this weekend, they sit as the only side without a win to their name too.

Tags Raul Garcia
La Liga - Club News