Atletico Madrid consolidated their position at the top of the Spanish table, securing their sixth consecutive victory with a 1‑0 win against Espanyol. The goal, scored one minute into the 90th minute by Alex Baena, was the result of a decisive play by Argentine striker Julian Alvarez, who returned to the pitch in place of the almost evanescent Lookman at the start of the second half.
Alvarez, after a brief absence, again showed his ability to create chances for his teammates. His action led to a precise shot from Baena, who took advantage of a defensive error by the Spaniards to nullify the score. The victory was crucial for the colchoneros, who now occupy second position, just two points behind Barcelona, and prepare for a crucial match against Betis in Seville.
The result confirmed the solidity of Simeone's team, which demonstrated that it can maintain the pressure even in the most difficult matches. With the victory against Espanyol, Atletico gained three precious points, strengthening their bid for the Champions League. The next match, scheduled for October 19, will be against Betis in Seville, where Simeone's team will try to maintain the form shown so far.
Meanwhile, the La Liga table looks like this: Barcelona in the lead with 24 points, followed by Atletico Madrid with 22, Betis with 19 and Real Madrid with 18. Other clubs such as Sevilla, Real Sociedad and Alavés occupy the intermediate positions, while Switzerland finds itself at the bottom with only 4 points. Next week's calendar includes key matches for the teams competing for the Champions League and those fighting for survival, including the final of the day between Deportivo La Coruña and Levante, the episode between Espanyol and Atletico Madrid (already concluded) and the match between Betis and Barcelona.
With the victory against Espanyol, Atletico Madrid proved that they are a formidable opponent for any team in La Liga. The next match against Betis will be decisive to consolidate its position at the top and to confirm its competitiveness in the race for the Champions League.