Atletico Madrid in search of back-to-back victories.

2024-09-15

In a midweek La Liga clash, Atlético Madrid aims to build on their recent success as they host newly promoted Espanyol, who are desperately searching for their first points of the season at the Cívitas Metropolitano on Wednesday evening.

Atlético Madrid

Atlético Madrid made light work of Girona on matchday two, securing a convincing 3-0 victory at Cívitas Metropolitano. An Antoine Griezmann free-kick, a venomous strike from Marcos Llorente, and a stoppage-time goal by Koke earned Diego Simeone's side their first win of the season.

After the game, Simeone praised new signing Conor Gallagher, who came off the bench for his debut, saying, "Gallagher came on with a lot of energy." Now in fourth place, two points behind third-placed Barcelona, Atlético Madrid will aim for back-to-back wins as they welcome Espanyol in this midweek’s episode of La Liga.

The Mattress Makers boast an impressive record against Espanyol, with 83 wins in 162 games, their highest number of victories against a single opponent in the competition. Additionally, Espanyol is the only team against which Atlético has scored more than 300 goals in La Liga.

Atlético Madrid has an impressive home record, winning 26 of their last 29 home league games, providing a boost when they face Espanyol on Wednesday. However, the Mattress Makers have not managed to win in their last two league encounters against Espanyol.

A 3—4—1—2 formation is expected against Espanyol, featuring Julián Álvarez and Rodrigo Riquelme in attack.

Espanyol

Meanwhile, newly promoted Espanyol are one of just two teams in the competition without a point or goal. A 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad last weekend, courtesy of Takefusa Kubo’s late strike in the 80th minute, placed the Periquitos in the bottom two, at 19th, with a goal difference (GD) of -2. They sit just above 20th-placed Valencia, who have a GD of -3.

Still in search of their first point and goal since returning to the topflight, Manolo González’s side will aim to make an impression in the capital. Espanyol will be looking to draw inspiration from recent successes in the Comunidad de Madrid, having won two of their last three league visits to the region.

With a possible 4-4-2 formation, Alejo Véliz and Irvin Cardona could lead the attack for Espanyol. However, they will have to cope without Edu Expósito, who is sidelined due to a ligament injury.