Atlético Madrid – Espanyol: How manipulating the mid-block won Atleti the game (4-2)

Atlético Madrid returned to scoring form with a commanding 4-2 victory over Espanyol, overturning an early setback through intelligent positional play and ruthless exploitation of wide areas. A needed boost for Simeone's men after three straight games in La Liga without scoring.

Tactical analysis and match report by Sebastián Parreño.

Espanyol arrived at the Metropolitano with a surprise. After using a back four for most of the season, they set up in a 5-4-1 out of possession, with Dmitrovic in goal; El Hilali and Carlos Romero as wingbacks; Riedel, Calero and Cabrera as center-backs; Dolan and Jofre flanking Urko González and Pol Lozano in midfield; and Kike García as the lone striker . In a mid-block, the shape morphed into a 5-3-2, with Dolan pushing higher and García shadow-marking Atlético’s pivot, Johnny Cardoso .

With the ball, Espanyol shifted into a 3-4-3, narrowing their wingers while relying on the wingbacks to provide width . This tweak was a significant departure from their usual back four structure and hinted at an intention to crowd central zones and protect the box against Atlético’s interior-heavy 4-3-3.

Diego Simeone’s side lined up with Oblak behind a back four of Llorente, Pubill, Hancko and Ruggeri; Cardoso as the single pivot; Baena and Griezmann as interiors; and a front three of Giuliano, Lookman and Sørloth . The matchup in midfield was direct: Lozano and González took responsibility for Baena and Griezmann, while García tried to block access into Cardoso .

Pressing Triggers and Central Exploitation