Despite debuting most of its new signings, Atletico Madrid could not keep away from conceding two late targets and dropping its opening Spanish league match for the first-ever time under coach Diego Simeone.
Host Espanyol’s 2-1 win on Sunday (August 17, 2025) was Atletico’s first opening defeat since Simeone took over in late 2011. It hadn’t beforehand misplaced an opening league sport since 2009.
It was a very good begin for Espanyol under the possession of Engand-based group Velocity Sport Limited and its American shareholders.
“What a wonderful way to start the season, with a win against Atlético Madrid!” U.S. businessman Alan Pace posted on Instagram after attending the match in Barcelona.
Simeone began the match with 5 of the membership’s new signings for the season — Álex Baena, Thiago Almada, Johnny Cardoso, David Hancko and Matteo Ruggeri. Giacomo Raspadori additionally made his debut coming off the bench within the second half.
Atletico took the lead with Julián Alvarez’s free kick within the thirty seventh minute however conceded targets by Miguel Rubio within the 73rd and Pere Milla within the 84th.
“It happens,” Simeone stated. “The result hurts, but it’s going to make us improve and grow. I’m left with all the good things the team did.”
Last season, Atletico solely twice misplaced a league match that it was main.
“We played a very good first half and we had the match under control in the second,” Atletico midfielder Koke stated. “But after their first goal they turned things around.”
Barcelona started the protection of its Spanish league title with a cushty 3-0 win at nine-man Mallorca on Saturday.
Real Madrid hosts Osasuna on Tuesday.
Nico leads Athletic
With switch rumors prior to now, Nico Williams led Athletic Bilbao to a 3-2 win over Sevilla in its opening Spanish league match.
Williams, who had been linked with a transfer to Barcelona within the offseason however appears set to stick with his boyhood membership, put the hosts forward by changing a Thirty sixth-minute penalty kick.
Athletic, coming off a fourth-placed end final season, added to the lead with a purpose from Maroan Sannadi within the forty third earlier than Sevilla rallied with targets by Dodi Lukebakio within the sixtieth and Lucien Agoume within the 72nd.
Robert Navarro put Athletic again in entrance for good by scoring within the 81st.
Goalkeeper Unai Simon helped the hosts safe the victory as Sevilla pressed ahead to the top.
It was Athletic’s first match with Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams’ older brother, as its major captain — a primary for a Black participant on the membership that historically solely fields gamers from Spain’s northern Basque Country area or adjoining areas.
Depleted Getafe wins away
Getafe bought off to a 2-0 win at Celta Vigo with second-half targets from Adrián Liso and Christantus Uche.
The Madrid membership had a depleted squad after not having the ability to register lots of its new gamers due to monetary honest play laws.
It was a disappointing begin for Celta after a season wherein it completed within the European locations.
On Friday, Rayo Vallecano gained at Girona 3-1 and Villarreal defeated promoted Oviedo 2-0.
