Atlético Takes a Step Back and Bids Farewell to La Liga

Atlético took a step back in the second half with the lead in their favour and the match under control, losing two points in Cornellà due to a penalty committed by Lenglet. This setback further distances them from the title race and overshadows Azpilicueta's spectacular goal that opened the scoring. The veteran Navarrese player's stunning volley from outside the box wasn't enough to secure victory for the red-and-white team, as Simeone's side once again showed complacency with their slim advantage, relying entirely on their defence. A penalty conceded by one of their centre-backs for persistently holding Cabrera condemned them, with Puado converting the penalty.

From the possibility of staying in the title race just four days before hosting Barça in the Copa del Rey semi-final return leg after the 4-4 draw at Montjuic, Atlético in the second half effectively said goodbye to the championship after three consecutive matches without a win. The red-and-white team stumbled once more on the same stone of conservatism, allowing Espanyol to grow, who capitalised on Lenglet's error and, after equalising, continued to press for another goal. Atlético, however, virtually disappeared from midfield forward after the break, having been superior in the first half and confirming their dominance with Azpilicueta's tremendous right-footed shot, marking his first goal in La Liga.

That thunderous shot into the top corner by the Navarrese was protested by Espanyol for an alleged prior foul by Sorloth on Kumbulla, but neither the referee nor VAR saw any punishable action by the Norwegian, and the 0-1 scoreline was registered at a very opportune moment for Atlético, who found a deserved reward, although their football, with rotations in the starting eleven, wasn't remarkable in the first half. However, it worsened in the second half when they forgot to continue dominating and ceded possession and initiative to Espanyol.

This time, Simeone's substitutions yielded no results, and some, like Nahuel Molina for Giuliano, were detrimental to Atlético, who once again missed out on a crucial victory due to a lack of ambition and necessary intensity. The introduction of Julián Álvarez for Sorloth to partner Griezmann in attack, now the foreign player with the most appearances in La Liga, also went unnoticed.

Lenglet's gift allowed Espanyol to extend their unbeaten run at Cornellà to nine consecutive matches, forgetting not only the controversial action before Azpilicueta's goal but also a possible penalty by Lino on Jofre just before the break. A quarter of an hour earlier, to avoid risks with Le Normand after a clash with Roberto in a battle for the ball, Simeone withdrew the Spanish international and changed Lenglet's partner, whose action in trying to stop Cabrera after a free-kick ultimately proved fatal for a team that once again played with fire and got burned.