Espanyol: Cristian Alvarez; Javi López,
Raúl Rodríguez, Héctor Moreno, Víctor Alvarez;
Víctor Sánchez, Forlín (Sergio Tejera 66'), Verdú,
Cristian Gómez (Rui Fonte 34'); Simao (Stuani 46'), Longo. 4-4-2.
Atlético: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda,
Godín, Filipe Luis; Tiago, Mario Suárez; Arda Turan (Cebolla
Rodríguez 60'), Raúl García, Koke (Gabi 54'); Diego Costa
(Adrián 81'). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
0-1. 30. Raúl García. Steered header
wide of Cristian from Juanfran's long cross.
Yellow cards: Héctor Moreno 42', Stuani 46', Arda Turan 58', Forlín 59', Diego Costa 65', Raúl García 67'.
Atlético Madrid stay in second spot after beating bottom club Espanyol 0-1 in the last match on Sunday evening. Simeone was forced to rest the injured Falcao after his efforts midweek, but Raúl García stepped in to his shoes to head what was to prove the only goal from Juanfran's cross on the half hour mark. The locals had only picked up one point all season, and their only effort at goal in the first half was a volley over the top by Cristian Gómez. Longo and Víctor Sánchez brought good saves out of Courtois early in the second half, and half time substitute Stuani and Longo both headed just wide later on. Cebolla Rodríguez tested Cristian Alvarez a couple of times at the other end though, and Adrián came close to a second in the dying minutes when his shot went under the legs of the keeper only to hit a defender as it was going in. Another defeat for Espanyol however, heralding their worst ever start to the season, and fans chanted for the resignation of the board after the match ended.