Espanyol vs. Atlético Madrid - News - October 17, 2026

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Marcos Llorente - Gets rest, plays 35 minutes Llorente generated one shot (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Saturday's 1-0 victory versus Espanyol.

Impact Llorente was given a breather against Espanyol after a run of consecutive starts, with Atletico in the middle of a congested spell of fixtures. He still made an impact off the bench with one shot and one tackle won in a 35 minute cameo. The versatile Spaniard has been deployed at right back in recent games, where he has been preferred over Marc Pubill and produced strong defensive numbers, with five interceptions, four clearances, one block and 12 tackles across the last five matches, and he has won at least one tackle in each of them. LLorente is among the most important players in Diego Simeone's setup, whether he lines up in defence or in midfield.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Morten Hjulmand - Impressive display in return to XI Hjulmand had three shots (zero on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 1-0 win over Espanyol. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 22nd minute.

Impact Hjulmand reminded Atletico what he can offer with a strong return to the starting lineup against Espanyol. The midfielder had barely played in the previous four games after losing ground in the pecking order, but with Koke (hamstring) and Johnny Cardoso (illness) sidelined, he got the start and controlled the middle of the park with six interceptions, four clearances and two tackles won. He was a threat from set pieces as well, with two of his three shots coming from headers at corners, and he added one chance created. His limited minutes have come with Cardoso and Pablo Barrios the preferred pairing in midfield and Marcos Llorente also used ahead of him, so Hjulmand will hope a display like this moves him up the pecking order.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Marc Pubill - Clean sheet in XI return Pubill registered two clearancesand one interception in Saturday's 1-0 victory against Espanyol.

Impact Pubill returned to the starting lineup against Espanyol after two games on the bench and helped Atletico to a clean sheet. The defender was one of Diego Simeone's most important players last season, but the arrival of Cristian Romero has cost him his regular place in the centre of defence. His route back in at right back has also narrowed, as Simeone has moved Marcos Llorente there and turned to Pablo Barrios and Johnny Cardoso in midfield. That picture could change in the coming days, as Romero is set to miss time and Pubill could be the one to step into the middle.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jan Oblak - Two saves in clean sheet Oblak had two saves and allowed zero goals in Saturday's 1-0 victory against Espanyol.

Impact Oblak was rarely troubled against Espanyol, and the two saves he made were enough to keep a second consecutive clean sheet following the shutout against Manchester United. That sums up the solidity Atletico have found in front of him lately, as he has conceded only two goals in his last six outings and kept a clean sheet in four of them. The trip to Stuttgart on Tuesday should provide a sterner test, and he could be busier in Germany as he looks to extend that run.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Julian Alvarez - Sets up winner Alvarez assisted once to go with three shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Espanyol.

Impact Alvarez came off the bench at half time against Espanyol and made the decisive contribution, teeing up Alex Baena for the late winner after Atletico had spent most of the afternoon knocking on the door. The forward was busy throughout his time on the pitch with three shots, and the assist was his first goal contribution in the league this season.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Alex Baena - Scores winner off bench Baena scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 1-0 win versus Espanyol. In addition, he was given a yellow card in...

Impact Baena started on the bench against Espanyol after his midweek start against Manchester United, but he needed only 28 minutes to decide the game when he struck the winner late on. That goal capped a lively cameo in which he created two chances and recorded his only shot, and it was the second straight league match in which he came off the bench to settle things, after his cross set up Cristian Romero for the winner at Alaves. It reflects how far he has come since a troubled first season at the club, as he is now playing with real confidence and has two goals and two assists across his last five games, a run that underlines his growing importance to Atletico.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Angel Fortuno - Five saves in another start Fortuno had five saves and allowed one goal in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Impact Fortuno went into the weekend unsure of his place after coach Manolo Gonzalez refused to name his goalkeeper in the build up, but he got the nod for a second consecutive league start even with Marko Dmitrovic fit again. That decision was quickly put to the test as Atletico Madrid took control of the ball and pinned Espanyol back, and the goalkeeper rose to it with five saves to keep the visitors out for most of the afternoon. That resistance held until the closing stages, when Alex Baena finally found a way past him. It was a cruel end to a display that strengthened his claim to the shirt, and after strong outings at Malaga and here, Fortuno could have the edge over Dmitrovic in the coming weeks.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

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Espanyol vs. Atlético Madrid - News: Oct 17, 2026

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