Atletico Madrid Squanders Lead and Loses Opening LaLiga Match for 1st Time Under Simeone
Despite debuting most of its new signings, Atletico Madrid couldn’t avoid conceding two late goals and losing its opening Spanish league match for the first-ever time under coach Diego Simeone.
Host Espanyol’s 2-1 win on Sunday was Atletico’s first opening defeat since Simeone took over in late 2011. It hadn’t previously lost an opening league game since 2009.
It was a good start for Espanyol under the ownership of England-based group Velocity Sport Limited and its American shareholders.
“What a wonderful way to start the season, with a win against Atletico Madrid!” US businessman Alan Pace posted on Instagram after attending the match in Barcelona.
Simeone started the match with five of the club’s new signings for the season — Álex Baena, Thiago Almada, Johnny Cardoso, David Hancko and Matteo Ruggeri. Giacomo Raspadori also made his debut coming off the bench in the second half.
Atletico took the lead with Julián Alvarez’s free kick in the 37th minute but conceded goals by Miguel Rubio in the 73rd and Pere Milla in the 84th.
