Atlético are better than Espanyol but can only draw at Cornellà (2-2)
Koke and Agüero gave the ‘rojiblancos’ two leads
Two goals, one at the start of each half, weren’t enough to get a win that Atlético de Madrid deserved and the ‘rojiblancos’ were forced to settle for a draw, as Osvaldo netted a brace to save a point for Espanyol. Koke gave the visitors the lead right off the bat, Osvaldo levelled before the break, Agüero regained the lead for Atleti at the beginning of the second half, and the Argentinean again tallied an equalizer for the final score.
Atlético de Madrid arrived at Estadio de Cornellà-El Prat with the possibility of jumping up a spot in the table, as Sevilla had fallen to Getafe on Saturday. Quique Sánchez Flores’ side took the pitch with the idea of building on their two-game winning streak.
Furthermore, the coach from Madrid aligned the same squad that blew out Real Sociedad. The only change in the matchday roster was the presence of Antonio López for the injured Forlán, and the ‘rojiblanco’ manager decided to lend continuity to the team. The fact is that the strong pressure exerted by the Espanyol players bore early fruits, as a poor clearance by Galán inside the area was pounced on by Koke to open the scoring just two minutes in.
The ‘rojiblanco’ side had very clear ideas from the opening kick-off. They applied asphyxiating pressure upon their opponents, came out fully focused and wanted to use their pace to cause damage. All of this, together with their attacks on Kameni’s area disconcerted the ‘periquitos’ and brought panic to the stands. Two headers from Godín and a shot from Diego Costa almost increased the lead for the visitors.
Espanyol needed the support of their fans to wake up and try to unsettle De Gea’s goal. Callejón was the most dangerous man for the home team in the first half with two distant shots that were just off-target. Mauricio Pochettino’s club was only able to create problems for Atleti on individual plays, as the visiting defence was solid.
Agüero had a chance to incresae the advantage after a great through ball from Mario Suárez, but Kun first ran into Kameni and, on the rebound, he tried to lift it over the goalkeeper but didn’t get the ball high enough. Instead of going up 0-2, the game became even at one. Right when Atlético de Madrid seemed to be settled in, a through ball from Verdú to Osvaldo led to a goal. The Argentine, with a bit of luck, scored when Perea slid to block his shot and the ball deflected off the defender’s leg and into the upper corner. Atlético de Madrid had seemed more dangerous and the stronger side, but Espnayol had levelled on an isolated play.
But Atlético de Madrid came out stuck in for the second half and another error by the ‘blanquiazules’ after pressure in the left midfield led to their second goal. Callejón meant to pass back to a defender, but ended up sending through an amazing pass for Agüero. Kun took advantage of the gift, accelerated and lifted the ball over an oncoming Kameni. The Argentine scored again on one of his favourite victims in La Liga to give his side the lead for the second time.
However, Espanyol, after being down for ten minutes after the blow, put themselves back together with the same protagonists from the first goal. Verdú swung a cross into the area and Osvaldo, with his head, equalized once again. The ‘rojiblancos’ had to start over, and they almost grabbed a winner on a Tiago header off a corner kick taken by Reyes, but Kameni went to the ground to make a phenomenal save. In the 69th minute, a nice play led by Reyes, with a pass for Mario Suárez, saw the central midfielder unleash a strike that whizzed past the upper corner of Kameni’s goal.
Atlético de Madrid ended the match on Espanyol’s half of the pitch. They had control of the ball and more chances until the final whistle, although they were unable to finish them off. Quique Sánchez Flores’ squad had to settle for a draw that tasted a bit dry because they were the superior side, although they ran into an inspired Osvaldo, who earned his team a point.
ESPANYOL, 2 (Osvaldo, 2); ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 2 (Koke and Kun Agüero)
Espanyol: Kameni; Galán, Amat, Raúl Rodríguez, Chica; Javi López, Verdú; Luis García (Javi Márquez, 59’), Iván Alonso (Rui Fonte, 81’), Callejón (Álvaro, 70’); and Osvaldo.
Atlético de Madrid: De Gea; Ujfalusi, Perea, Godín, Filipe Luis; Reyes, Tiago, Mario Suárez, Koke (Raúl García, 40’); Diego Costa (Juanfran, 80’) and Kun Agüero.
Referee: Mateu Lahoz. For Espanyol showed yellow cards to Amat (12’) and Chica (46’). For Atlético booked Filipe Luis (28’), Mario Suárez (54’), Tiago (71’), Raúl García (78’) and Reyes (92’).
Notes: Estadio de Cornellà-El Prat. 28,110 spectators. Matchday 32 of the League Lational Championship.
GOALS:
0-1. 2’. Diego Costa wins a loose ball and it falls to Reyes, who passes into the area. Galán mishits the clearance straight to Koke, who first-times into an empty net.
1-1. 37’. Verdú sends a through ball to Osvaldo, who shoots, Perea slides and the ball deflects off the Colombian and into the net.
1-2. 48’. Callejón sends a poor back pass that Kun Agüero races onto and chips an onrushing Kameni.
2-2. 58’. Verdú sends in a cross and Osvaldo heads past De Gea to the far post.
Atlético de Madrid arrived at Estadio de Cornellà-El Prat with the possibility of jumping up a spot in the table, as Sevilla had fallen to Getafe on Saturday. Quique Sánchez Flores’ side took the pitch with the idea of building on their two-game winning streak.
Furthermore, the coach from Madrid aligned the same squad that blew out Real Sociedad. The only change in the matchday roster was the presence of Antonio López for the injured Forlán, and the ‘rojiblanco’ manager decided to lend continuity to the team. The fact is that the strong pressure exerted by the Espanyol players bore early fruits, as a poor clearance by Galán inside the area was pounced on by Koke to open the scoring just two minutes in.
The ‘rojiblanco’ side had very clear ideas from the opening kick-off. They applied asphyxiating pressure upon their opponents, came out fully focused and wanted to use their pace to cause damage. All of this, together with their attacks on Kameni’s area disconcerted the ‘periquitos’ and brought panic to the stands. Two headers from Godín and a shot from Diego Costa almost increased the lead for the visitors.
Espanyol needed the support of their fans to wake up and try to unsettle De Gea’s goal. Callejón was the most dangerous man for the home team in the first half with two distant shots that were just off-target. Mauricio Pochettino’s club was only able to create problems for Atleti on individual plays, as the visiting defence was solid.
Agüero had a chance to incresae the advantage after a great through ball from Mario Suárez, but Kun first ran into Kameni and, on the rebound, he tried to lift it over the goalkeeper but didn’t get the ball high enough. Instead of going up 0-2, the game became even at one. Right when Atlético de Madrid seemed to be settled in, a through ball from Verdú to Osvaldo led to a goal. The Argentine, with a bit of luck, scored when Perea slid to block his shot and the ball deflected off the defender’s leg and into the upper corner. Atlético de Madrid had seemed more dangerous and the stronger side, but Espnayol had levelled on an isolated play.
But Atlético de Madrid came out stuck in for the second half and another error by the ‘blanquiazules’ after pressure in the left midfield led to their second goal. Callejón meant to pass back to a defender, but ended up sending through an amazing pass for Agüero. Kun took advantage of the gift, accelerated and lifted the ball over an oncoming Kameni. The Argentine scored again on one of his favourite victims in La Liga to give his side the lead for the second time.
However, Espanyol, after being down for ten minutes after the blow, put themselves back together with the same protagonists from the first goal. Verdú swung a cross into the area and Osvaldo, with his head, equalized once again. The ‘rojiblancos’ had to start over, and they almost grabbed a winner on a Tiago header off a corner kick taken by Reyes, but Kameni went to the ground to make a phenomenal save. In the 69th minute, a nice play led by Reyes, with a pass for Mario Suárez, saw the central midfielder unleash a strike that whizzed past the upper corner of Kameni’s goal.
Atlético de Madrid ended the match on Espanyol’s half of the pitch. They had control of the ball and more chances until the final whistle, although they were unable to finish them off. Quique Sánchez Flores’ squad had to settle for a draw that tasted a bit dry because they were the superior side, although they ran into an inspired Osvaldo, who earned his team a point.
ESPANYOL, 2 (Osvaldo, 2); ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 2 (Koke and Kun Agüero)
Espanyol: Kameni; Galán, Amat, Raúl Rodríguez, Chica; Javi López, Verdú; Luis García (Javi Márquez, 59’), Iván Alonso (Rui Fonte, 81’), Callejón (Álvaro, 70’); and Osvaldo.
Atlético de Madrid: De Gea; Ujfalusi, Perea, Godín, Filipe Luis; Reyes, Tiago, Mario Suárez, Koke (Raúl García, 40’); Diego Costa (Juanfran, 80’) and Kun Agüero.
Referee: Mateu Lahoz. For Espanyol showed yellow cards to Amat (12’) and Chica (46’). For Atlético booked Filipe Luis (28’), Mario Suárez (54’), Tiago (71’), Raúl García (78’) and Reyes (92’).
Notes: Estadio de Cornellà-El Prat. 28,110 spectators. Matchday 32 of the League Lational Championship.
GOALS:
0-1. 2’. Diego Costa wins a loose ball and it falls to Reyes, who passes into the area. Galán mishits the clearance straight to Koke, who first-times into an empty net.
1-1. 37’. Verdú sends a through ball to Osvaldo, who shoots, Perea slides and the ball deflects off the Colombian and into the net.
1-2. 48’. Callejón sends a poor back pass that Kun Agüero races onto and chips an onrushing Kameni.
2-2. 58’. Verdú sends in a cross and Osvaldo heads past De Gea to the far post.
