Atletico Madrid Set to Face Espanyol in Exciting La Liga Opener
Atletico Madrid are gearing up to travel to RCDE Stadium this Sunday for their La Liga 2025/26 season opener against Espanyol, and the anticipation is already building. This match is being seen as a key test for both teams as they aim to set the tone for what promises to be another highly competitive season in Spain’s top flight.
Diego Simeone’s squad comes into this game determined to bounce back after a mixed pre-season and a disappointing showing at the Club World Cup. The manager will be hoping his newly revamped side can find chemistry quickly, as Atletico looks to improve on last season’s performances. Excitement has been growing around the squad’s summer signings and their potential impact on the team’s dynamics this season.
On the team news front, there are some positives. Midfielder Pablo Barrios has returned to full training after overcoming a minor muscle injury. The 22-year-old had missed the friendly against Porto but is now expected to be in contention for a starting role against Espanyol. Forward Julian Alvarez has also been in excellent form during pre-season, scoring in the final warm-up match against Newcastle United. Antoine Griezmann, fresh from an extended summer break, is looking sharp and even found the net in the same game, showing he is ready to hit the ground running.
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However, not all news is positive. Defender Jose Maria Gimenez remains a doubt after suffering a muscular strain during the Club World Cup. He continued to train individually as of Friday, and his availability for the opener is still uncertain. This could force Simeone to make adjustments in defense depending on how the final team sheet is shaped.
Based on current fitness and form, Atletico Madrid’s predicted starting XI is expected to be Oblak in goal, with a back four of Pubill, Le Normand, Hancko, and Ruggeri. The midfield could see Cardoso and Koke anchoring the middle, while Baena, Griezmann, and Almada are likely to operate behind striker Alvarez in a formation designed to combine creativity and attacking threat.
The match kicks off at 7:30 pm BST on Sunday, August 17th, and it will be broadcast live on Premier Sports 1, which holds the UK rights to most La Liga fixtures. Fans will be eager to see how Simeone’s squad performs after the summer changes and whether Atletico can start the season with a strong statement away from home.
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