Atletico Madrid begin their 2025-26 La Liga campaign on Sunday night with a trip to Catalonia to face Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. Diego Simeone’s side are aiming to mount a serious title challenge this season, while the hosts will look to build on survival and climb away from the relegation battle.
Match Preview
Espanyol endured a nervy 2024-25 campaign, finishing 14th with 42 points—just two clear of 18th-placed Leganés. Their record of 11 wins, nine draws, and 18 defeats reflected inconsistency, but it was just enough to secure back-to-back top-flight seasons for the first time since 2023.
Head coach Manolo González has overseen significant summer activity, with nine new signings arriving to bolster the squad. Among them, Roberto Fernández has rejoined on a permanent deal after impressing on loan, while the club also lost key goalkeeper Joan García to Barcelona for £21m.
Espanyol’s pre-season form has been encouraging: four wins from six matches and a spirited 2-2 draw against Newcastle United in their final friendly. With confidence improved and squad depth added, Los Pericos will be aiming for a more comfortable campaign.
Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, finished third in La Liga last season, trailing champions Barcelona by 12 points and city rivals Real Madrid by eight. While their title drought stretches back to 2020-21, Simeone’s men remain determined to close the gap at the top.
The Red-and-Whites have been very active in the transfer market. Alex Baena and David Hancko headline their big-money arrivals, while Johnny Cardoso, Giacomo Raspadori, Thiago Almada, and Matteo Ruggeri also join an already talented squad. The most notable departure has been winger Samuel Lino, who left for Flamengo.
Star forward Julián Álvarez—fresh from a brilliant debut season in which he scored 29 goals across 57 appearances—will again be central to their attack. Atletico had mixed fortunes at the 2025 Club World Cup, winning two group matches but failing to progress as PSG and Botafogo advanced.
Form Guide
- Espanyol pre-season form: W L W W W D
- Atletico Madrid pre-season form: L W
Team News
Espanyol are in relatively good shape for the opener, with only Javi Hernández ruled out through injury. Several new signings are in contention, including goalkeeper Marko Dmitrović and defender Miguel Rubio. Up front, Roberto Fernández—who scored six times during his loan spell last season—will start alongside Javi Puado, who netted 12 league goals in 2024-25.
Atletico have minor concerns over José Giménez, who is struggling with a muscular issue, but Simeone otherwise has a near-full squad. Fans can expect a new-look XI, with Hancko, Ruggeri, Cardoso, Baena, and Almada all pushing to debut from the first whistle.
Julián Álvarez will spearhead the attack once more, aiming to replicate his prolific first campaign in red and white.
Predicted Lineups
Espanyol (4-4-2):
Dmitrović; El Hilali, Cabrera, Rubio, Romero; Sánchez, Lozano, Expósito, Roca; Fernández, Puado
Atletico Madrid (4-2-3-1):
Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Barrios, Cardoso; Simeone, Baena, Almada; Álvarez
Prediction
Espanyol have strengthened and shown promising signs in pre-season, and their home crowd will give them an extra boost. However, Atletico’s squad depth and attacking firepower—led by Álvarez—should see them edge a close encounter, even with multiple new faces bedding in.
We say: Espanyol 0-1 Atletico Madrid