Espanyol returns to its stadium on Saturday to try to reverse the bad streak at home, after having played 14 games at the RCDE Stadium during 2026 without achieving more than two victories. The Catalan club faces Atlético de Madrid, one of the toughest teams in LaLiga, hoping to regain the “fortress” character that had defined its performance in the first part of last season.
In the current season, the parakeet coliseum has been “anything but a fort,” according to the local press itself. The parakeets have registered only two wins in 14 games: May 13 against Athletic and 3‑0 over Levante in the first match of this championship. The rest of the matches have been divided between five draws and seven defeats, leaving the team with a very low position in the table and without the necessary confidence to ensure permanence in the top category.
The last home match, on September 18 against Elche, ended in a bitter 1-3. The visitors played with “ten” for many minutes, leading to a defeat that set the tone for the campaign. The lack of points at the RCDE Stadium has become a critical problem, as Espanyol needs to win on their own turf to avoid a drop in the second round.
The next match against Atlético de Madrid represents a decisive test. Coach Riedel has stressed the importance of playing at home and having the support of the fans. "It's good that we play at home, especially with the fans on our side. It will be a great match and it is very nice to play at home. It will be a very tough match," commented the coach when questioned by the press.
With Deportivo's next visit also on the agenda, Espanyol must get at least one point in the match with Atlético to begin to change the dynamic. The end of the season is shaping up to be a major challenge, but the club hopes that the RCDE Stadium will once again be a safe haven and that the parakeets can accumulate the necessary points to guarantee their permanence in LaLiga.