Atletico Madrid Loses Opening Match Under Simeone for First Time in 16 Years

Atletico Madrid lost its opening Spanish league match for the first time under coach Diego Simeone, falling 2-1 to Espanyol. Despite debuting most of its new signings, Atletico conceded two late goals and suffered its first opening defeat since Simeone took over in 2011. Espanyol's win was a good start under new ownership by Velocity Sport Limited and its American shareholders.

In a surprising turn of events, Atletico Madrid suffered its first opening Spanish league match defeat under coach Diego Simeone, losing 2-1 to Espanyol on Sunday. This marks the first time Simeone's team has lost an opening league game since 2009, a significant milestone in the club's history.

The match began with Atletico in control, taking a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute through a spectacular free kick from Julian Alvarez. However, Espanyol, under the ownership of Velocity Sport Limited and its American shareholders, mounted a late comeback. Miguel Rubio's header from a free kick in the 73rd minute equalized the score, and Pere Milla's goal in the 84th minute sealed Espanyol's victory.

Simeone, who started the match with five of the club's new signings, acknowledged the team's shortcomings. "They made the most of the situations they had," he said. "The set piece [for Rubio's goal] got them into the game. We had the game well controlled. And then with the second goal, that hurt us." Despite the defeat, Simeone remained optimistic, stating, "It's part of the journey. This result hurts us, but it can also make us improve and grow."

The loss underscores the challenges Atletico faces in competing with Barcelona and Real Madrid, especially after a summer of heavy investment. The team has brought in seven new players, including USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso, who was substituted at halftime. While the team played well in the first half, they failed to capitalize on their chances, highlighting the need for greater clinicality in both boxes.

This opening defeat is a setback for Atletico, but it also serves as a wake-up call. Simeone emphasized the importance of learning from the loss and focusing on the team's strengths. "We'll have to be clinical if we want to do something in this league," said Koke, the club captain.

Espanyol's victory was a strong start under new ownership, with the team showing resilience and a solid defensive performance. The match also saw the debut of several new players, including USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso, who made his mark despite being substituted at halftime.

The defeat underscores the competitive nature of La Liga, where even the most established teams can face unexpected challenges. Atletico will need to bounce back quickly to maintain their status as a top contender in the league.

References:
[1] https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/46003406/atletico-espanyol-loss-alvarez-stunner
[2] https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/la-liga-atletico-madrid-squanders-lead-loses-opening-match-for-1st-time-under-simeone/article69946111.ece
[3] https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/atletico-madrid-squanders-lead-and-loses-its-opening-spanish-league-match-for-1st-time-under-simeone
[4] https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/atletico-madrid-stunned-espanyol-la-043500255.html