Image source: Getty Images
2025-26 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 25
Atletico Madrid v Espanyol
Estadio Metropolitano
Madrid, Spain
Saturday, 21 February 2026
Kick-off is at 20h00
Atletico Madrid will be desperate to get back to winning ways in La Liga when they host Espanyol at the Metropolitano in the late kick-off on Saturday, February 21.
Los Colchoneros have only picked up one point from their last three outings and they're in danger of losing third place after suffering back-to-back defeats against Real Betis (1-0) and Rayo Vallecano (3-0).
What makes the clash with the Parakeets even more important is that Diego Simeone's side haven't beaten them in five games, with the reverse fixture on August 17 ending in a 2-1 defeat.
VIllarreal had a chance to go above Atleti in the standings on matchday 24, but they too slipped up after losing 2-1 to Getafe and remain deadlocked with the capital club on 45 points.
Espanyol have endured a miserable 2026 thus far after collecting just two points out of a possible 21 since the turn of the year.
Manolo Gonzalez's side had emerged as contenders for UEFA Champions League football after winning their final three games of 2025 to put pressure on Betis, the Yellow Submarine and Atletico.
But a 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo on February 14 left them six points adrift of the Andalusians and a further four behind Villarreal in sixth position.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Simeone dismissed the notion that his team lacked intensity against the Red Sashes, insisting they were second-best in many aspects of the game and deserved to lose.
"I don't think it was intensity. People often talk about intensity, desire to win, attitude... But we played badly," he declared.
"The team played badly, and when you play badly and your opponent plays better, obviously the team that plays better has a better chance of winning.
"They took time away from us, we couldn't progress in the first phase of attack, we didn't have transitions, good passes, good crosses, and they were decisive. It's not about intensity, attitude, or energy; it's because they were better."
Head-to-Head (Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Atletico wins - 0
Espanyol wins - 1
Draws - 4
La Liga Matchday 25 fixtures:
Friday, February 20
20h00: Athletic Bilbao v Elche
Saturday, February 21
13h00: Real Sociedad v Real Oviedo
15h15: Real Betis v Rayo Vallecano
17h30: Osasuna v Real Madrid
20h00: Atletico Madrid v Espanyol
Sunday, February 22
13h00: Getafe v Sevilla
15h15: Barcelona v Levante
17h30: Celta Vigo v Real Mallorca
20h00: Villarreal v Valencia
Monday, February 23
20h00: Alaves v Girona
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