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2025-26 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 1
Espanyol v Atletico Madrid
RCDE Stadium
El Prat, Spain
Sunday, 17 August 2025
Kick-off is at 19h30
Atletico Madrid will be hoping to mount a sustained
La Liga title challenge this season as they kick off proceedings against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Sunday, August 17.
Los Colchoneros went unbeaten in their opening 10 games last term and occupied top spot after matchdays 18 and 19, although they fell away in the final two months to finish in third place.
Diego Simeone's side had the second-best defensive record in the league behind Athletic Bilbao (29), shipping just 30 goals, while they lost the joint-least amount of matches (6) alongside Barcelona, Real Madrid and the Lions.
Atletico were active in the transfer market, signing Juan Musso (Atalanta), Clement Lenglet (Barcelona), Matteo Ruggeri (Atalanta), Marc Pubill (Almeria), David Hancko (Feyenoord), Santiago Mourino (Alaves), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis) and Thiago Almada (Botafogo).
Meanwhile, Cesar Azpilicueta, Axel Witsel and Saul were the most notable departures, with Thomas Lemar also being loaned to Girona.
Los Periquitos avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth in 2024-25, winning their final game 2-0 against Las Palmas to finish just two points above the drop zone in 14th position.
Manolo Gonzalez was actually named Coach of the Month for April after guiding the club to three consecutive wins against Rayo Vallecano, Celta Vigo and Getafe - the first time they had achieved the feat that season.
Simeone will be under pressure to deliver this term after club owner Miguel Angel Gil Marin revealed his ambitions to win silverware.
"We firmly believe that we are building a squad to dream big. We are ambitious, we take risks, we have brought in and will continue to bring in new partners willing to invest capital, which is necessary to continue growing in sporting, social and infrastructure terms," Marin said.
"A year ago, we decided to renew and rejuvenate the first team. We'd had a strong squad for several years, but it was time to make changes. Many players have left the club over the last two seasons."
Head-to-Head (Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Espanyol wins - 0
Atletico wins - 1
Draws - 4
La Liga Matchday 1 fixtures:
Friday, August 15
17h00: Girona v Rayo Vallecano
19h30: Villarreal v Real Oviedo
Saturday, August 16
15h00: Alaves v Levante
17h30: Real Mallorca v Barcelona
19h30: Valencia v Real Sociedad
Sunday, August 17
15h00: Celta Vigo v Getafe
17h30: Athletic Bilbao v Sevilla
19h30: Espanyol v Atletico Madrid
Monday, August 18
19h00: Elche v Real Betis
Tuesday, August 19
19h00: Real Madrid v Osasuna
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