Draw at the RCDE Stadium
It was a good first half for our team, who finished with a 0-2 lead thanks to goals from Saúl and Griezmann. Carrasco made it 0-3 at the start of the second half but Espanyol equalised with goals from Montes, Joselu from the penalty spot and Vini de Souza.
The game started at a fast pace, especially for Espanyol, who wanted to score to dream of staying up after their victory at Vallecas last Sunday, but they came up against a solid Atlético, firm in defence, with a spectacular Grbic and with a selfless work by everyone when defending and with intelligence when attacking. In the 21st minute, a deep pass from Hermoso to Saúl made it 0-1 with an exquisite finish, crossing with a left-footed shot against Pacheco through the only hole through which the ball could enter, which kissed the net after hitting the left post.
The goal stunned the Catalans, who were slow to react but reacted energetically and within six minutes had three chances, all of which were saved by the giant Grbic. First, Puado's header was deflected behind for a corner. The final blow to the first half came from Griezmann after a great team move. Saúl shot, Pacheco cleared as best he could, the rebound was sent to the post by Carrasco and Griezmann, who was following the play, shot with his right foot after Pacheco had cleared the ball from inside his goal, something that González González González confirmed from the VAR just before half-time.
And if the 0-2 scoreline was a blow because of the minute it was achieved, Espanyol saw our side increase their lead at the start of the second half. Correa's shot from the edge of the area was cleared off the line by Pacheco and Carrasco, very lively, beat the defender to shoot past the home goalkeeper to make it 0-3 and make things very difficult for Luis García's team.
The Catalan side did not give up and Montes made it 1-3 with a header from Aleix Vidal's corner. Nahuel, after a pass from Griezmann, sent a left-footed shot that crashed against the crossbar in the 73rd minute.
With a quarter of an hour to go, the game went crazy. A penalty for a foul by Grbic on Puado was converted by Joselu in the 76th minute and, in the 79th minute, Vini de Souza headed Aleix Vidal's cross into the net. In the end, 3-3 against Espanyol. On Sunday, against Real Sociedad, the last match at the Cívitas Metropolitano.
