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Match Report: RCD Espanyol suffer 4-2 loss to Atletico Madrid
Espanyol take the lead but miss out in Madrid
RCD Espanyol fell 4-2 to Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, in a tough, physical and tactical encounter. Despite taking an early lead, they were unable to hold onto the advantage and eventually dropped the three points.
From RCD Espanyol’s second approach into the home side’s area, in the 5th minute, Jofre Carreras put the team ahead, scoring from a rebound after a cross from Tyrhys Dolan.
Atletico Madrid slightly increased the tempo in the final third and gradually moved closer to an equaliser. In response, Jofre again silenced the crowd with another strike from the edge of the box that narrowly went wide. Espanyol looked comfortable, were rarely troubled in defence, and kept calm in their build-up play. However, a poor clearance outside the area led to an overhit cross from Llorente that Sorloth chased down, and the striker using his physical presence to equalise -despite an attempted block from Riedel.
The home side had two chances from Griezmann before halftime. The first was a shot went close to Dmitrovic’s right post, and the second was an acrobatic effort safely handled by the Serbian goalkeeper.
After the break, everything changed within just 15 minutes. Giuliano Simeone found himself clean through in a one-on-one with Dmitrovic and beat him with a low strike. Then, in the 58th minute, Lookman made it 3-1 with a well-worked set-piece off a corner, Ruggeri flicked on at the near post, and the new signing appeared at the far post to head home unmarked.
Manolo González made a triple substitution, and Ngonge hit the crossbar with the very first ball he touched.
From the very next move, Sorloth scored the fourth for the hosts, making t 4-1. Despite the scoreline, Espanyol tried to respond, and Edu Expósito, in his 100th appearance for the club, pulled one back.
The contest concluded 4-2, as Los Pericos' search for a win continues.
Atlético did not fall apart. They slightly increased the tempo in the final third and gradually moved closer to Dmitrovic’s goal. But it was Jofre again who silenced the crowd with another strike from the edge of the box that narrowly missed the post. Espanyol looked comfortable, rarely troubled in defense, calm in their build-up play. However, a poor clearance outside the area led to an overhit cross from Llorente that Sorloth chased down, using his physical presence to equalize despite Riedel’s opposition.
The home side had drawn level and felt relieved to do so quickly. They still had firepower left for two chances from Griezmann before halftime. The first was a shot placed close to Dmitrovic’s right post, and the second an acrobatic effort safely handled by the Serbian goalkeeper.
After the break, everything changed and the match was effectively decided within just ten minutes, from the 48th to the 58th. First, Giuliano found himself clean through in a one-on-one with Dmitrovic and beat him low. The 2-1 lifted the crowd, who wanted to wrap up the game as soon as possible and focus on the upcoming midweek Champions League and Copa del Rey fixtures.
Then, in the 58th minute, Lookman made it three with a well-worked set-piece from a corner. Ruggeri flicked it on at the near post, and the Englishman of Nigerian origin appeared at the far post to head home unmarked.
The Espanyol coach made a triple substitution, and Ngonge hit the crossbar with the very first ball he touched. In the very next play, Sorloth scored the fourth for the hosts, turning a near 3-2 into 4-1. Despite the scoreline, Espanyol tried to respond, and Edu Expósito, in his 100th appearance in the blue-and-white shirt, pulled one back with a fine goal to make the final score 4-2.