• Direct Narration and statistics

Suddenly, Atlético (3-1) came back to himself. After wandering around like a zombie in Germany and giving away minutes, and entire parts along the way, he understood that the easiest way to be himself, as usual, is to grab the rival's chest from the first moment. The Espanyol, of course, paid for the complete dinnerware shattered by the red and whites. Vitolo returned the joy, Correa shook and Morata, as in the last seven games, scored again. And Atlético left with a tickle in the stomach after dispatching the most complete game of the season. A talk on time never hurts.

And that Atlético was not a "massacre" at the start against Espanyol, as Saul recalled and claimed after shipwrecked in Leverkusen, evoking the team that won the League in 2014. But for the first time in a long time, he had the deference of Don't give away the first part. That is already a lot. And if it took time to score it was more for lack of aim than for that sort of reluctance and apathy that has been showing as a way of life. In the first half hour, the rojiblancos appeared more times in the goal of Diego López than in a whole month. A matter of attitude and, of course, aptitude. Although some have to pay the account of others as happened to Saul himself, again converted to the left side because Simeone believes that Lodi still has a good handful of days of military service.

Vitolo did not start as a starter from the derby, in the twilight of September, and spread illusion, joy and imagination from the first ball he stroked. Everything he touched, as happened to King Midas, turned it into gold. In just 10 minutes he had already crossed with his classic stealth the back of three central Espanyol with which Machín tried to get Simeone to choke again (his only three previous duels ended in a draw). The canary embroidered him and could have put in his pocket his first assistance of the season in the first minutes. He detected Morata and placed him face to face with Diego López. The forward's bite escaped over a span. But the connection of the front, where Correa also left, seemed impeccable. Everyone feels more comfortable without tridents involved.

Espanyol arrived penultimate but wanting to conquer the Wanda Metropolitano again and between Darder , Ferreyra and the fast Wu Lei did not stop for a moment to bother the fence of Atletico. He warned the Asian tip first and rightly and finished off before the break Darder , after Thomas put Koke in a mess and Víctor Sánchez smelled it. The athletic stand was frozen, and not only because of the temperature. And what about Atlético, who had bashed his best first act of the course or, at least, the one that is presupposed to a group of the caliber of the rojiblancos. Simeone was already thinking about how to mend the riot, when Morata and Costa appeared, and also the VAR, and among the three, on the horn, they matched the matter. The goal, canceled first offside, ended up erupting athletic supporters.

Koke's sentence

The warrior spirit returned to Atlético's body. For the (necessary) talk in the locker room or whatever. The fact is that no one can deny the mutation in the four days since the embarrassment of Leverkusen. Gil Manzano , still remembered for his episode of Camp Nou with Diego Costa, prolonged the intrigue, perhaps more than necessary, in a demolition of Vitolo in the area. And it was precisely Vitolo who ended up dismantling Machín's invention, sectioning Espanyol through the center. This time Morata did accept his gift and continues flying over that formidable seven-goal streak in seven games since that October 22 in which he broke his curse. Diego Costa , who did not get up from the bench until the end, continues trying to decipher how to end his. At least he could give one to Koke to sentence.

Vitolo took a symbolic turn to the ring when Simeone gave him rest for Lemar, a quarter of an hour ahead. Without making noise, complementing Correa's good sparks, he returned the pulse to a reconciled team with himself, after finding a formula that works. Also Morata, whose goals (six in LaLiga) keep the team just one inch from the head. He never let himself be carried away by Atlético, who, perhaps, has learned from all the harmful vices of this start of the season. Neither against nor in favor of the current did Simeone's boys stop rowing, also supported by the powerful lungs of Héctor Herrera , convinced that he has a place in this team.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • sports
  • Atlético de Madrid
  • RCD Espanyol
  • First division

LaLiga Santander 2019 - 2020The high of Morata: top scorer of Atlético in two weeks of gold

LaLigaAntiviolencia proposes a fine of 75,000 euros to Atlético for "repeated disobedience" on security

LaLiga Santander 2019 - 2020No incidents, no policy and no points for Espanyol