The team of Simeone started dominating the ball. The intensity of the Atleico drowned the Espanyol, who were trying to play again and again but it was under the Atletico´s pressure all the time. After the first 15 minutes, David Villa was the first to try his luck with a header that found a good response from Kiko Casilla. The next to shot was Gabi, but his shot went overlooked. The match grew sometimes and the players of Aguirre´s team, with a shot on the turn from Sergio Garcia, forced Courtoise to show off to avoid the goal. Thereafter, Atletico went out to attack, and despite having clear chances to score, the goalless draw would be the outcome in the first 45 minutes.

The second half began as the first ended. The Atletico tightened up in the field, but the goal was reluctant to come. Villa, very active throughout the whole match, had two shots that didn´t find the goal. The insistence eventually overthrows the Spanyol´s fortress with Diego Costa protagonist. The Atletic scorer took great cross by Villa to beat Casilla in one on one. The reaction from the Espanyol didn’t come and the Atletico tried to increase the differences. Diego Costa tried again with a relentless shot that ended over the bar.

Espanyol multiplied its offensive as the minutes progressed, although the Atletico´s defense did not leave great options to the Catalans attacks. Courtois reappeared to clear a good shot from David Lopez. The counterattack became the most dangerous weapon of Simeone. Raul Garcia could do the second goal, but his shot did not find the target. It would be the last movement of the match that ended with the great support of our fans. The pride and courage got a vital victory to continue fighting at the top of the BBVA League.