A colossal Espanyol puts Simeone in front of the mirror

Cornellà de LlobregatEspanyol's season of consolidation in the elite, the one that breaks with Rastar Group And leaving behind a decade with one European qualification and two traumatic relegations, they started on the right foot. A change of ownership, an increase in season ticket holders, a sales success for the new shirt (yesterday the queue was out of the store), an unbeaten run in the preseason... all the hype The turmoil surrounding the Perico club since Joan Garcia's departure was met with a rejuvenated Atlético de Madrid, once again a contender for everything, in the 37th minute with a superb free-kick from Julián Álvarez. But a set piece executed by Edu Expósito and finished off by Miguel Rubio and a real stunner from Pere Milla late in the match unleashed a party at the RCDE Stadium, in ecstasy over the colossal performance of Manolo González's men, which sent Simeone to the corner to think.

Not even Alan Pace Nor did NFL legend JJ Whatt, also a shareholder in Velocity Sport Limited (VSL, the holding company that bought Espanyol), want to miss the Blue and Whites' debut. After enjoying a crowd-pleasing match around Cornellà-El Prat, both enjoyed an electric start for their new team, spurred on by the fighting spirit of the tireless Roberto, acquired entirely this summer. The Puente Genil striker was a constant thorn in Atlético's side, which has smoothed out the wrinkles with the sale of several players over thirty, replaced by Pubill, Ruggeri, Cardoso, Baena, Almada, Raspadori, and Hancko, the only new player born before the 21st century. The facelift cost 170 million euros.

The Slovakian centre-back, with a header, had his side's first big chance after a fine cross from Baena. The imposing Dmitrovic, the chosen substitute Joan Garcia, made a save that was as unorthodox as it was effective. The Serbian was helpless to stop Julián Álvarez's free kick, who blasted the ball into the top corner of his own net before halftime. One of the goals of the day that did justice to what had been seen in the first half.

The iconic Pere Milla, a luxurious substitute

He warned Manolo beforehand that he had a plan B, and he put it into practice after the break: Dolan came on to take the lead, and Kike García, to finish. But it was Julián Álvarez who ruled the roost, hitting the post after a scheming move by Simeone's men, who were dominant but ineffective.

Just when it seemed that the visitors were close to sealing the game, a set piece sparked the joy. Edu Expósito put it in at the far post from far away, and center back Miguel Rubio, who had come on seven minutes earlier, appeared at the far post to equalize and return the deficit. hype in the stands. The party didn't stop, because Espanyol wanted more, and the iconic Pere Milla, with an extraordinary header, turned the score around and put Atlético and Simeone in the mirror, so accustomed to winning this way. There was nothing they could do.