It could have been a hurdle straight away but it is a fact that the La Liga title race will not be easy for the reigning champions. The Catalan team that came back in the Spanish top-tier came close to splitting a point each with Atletico Madrid at Cornella de Llobregat Stadium in Barcelona. However, Thomas Lemar came to rescue in the 100th minute – final score 1-2.Espanyol had no intent in sitting back and giving a fully defensive performance. They even had the first opportunity of the match. In the 4th minute already Adrian Embarba got inside the box and tried to beat Jan Oblak with a measured shot into the bottom left corner, but the Slovenian keeper was equal to the effort and made a fine save.’If a president who has won 13 Champions Leagues is incompetent, what are the others like?’Response came in the 17th minute via the one that came back – Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman was furious with himself for spurning a big chance – he was quickest to the rebound near the penalty spot and produced a header which went a whisker wide of the right post.Atletico expectedly created more chances but it just wasn’t dangerous enough – Los Colchoneros had no clear idea of how to score. On the other end, home team took advantage of such approach from Diego Simeone’s team.##EDITORS_CHOICE##In the 40th minute, it was Embarba again. The Spaniard connected with a pass around the edge of the box, aimed and shot. His attempt went towards the roof of the net, but Oblak was alert and the score remained the same. For only a couple of seconds more.Raul de Tomas jumped highest inside the box to meet a perfectly executed corner kick by Embarba. His header was precise and ended up inside the right post, leaving the goalkeeper flapping in the wind.Espanyol finally get past Oblak and have their first goal of the LaLiga season!Great header 👏 pic.twitter.com/MKvuNMOSFv— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 12, 2021 Embarba has assisted four of the last seven de Tomás’ goals in La Liga (two assists with Rayo Vallecano and two with Espanyol).Second half showed more intensity from Atleti. They even managed to score via Lemar in the 53rd minute but the score remained the same as Luis Suarez was offside when the final pass was sent towards the Frenchman.Atletico struggled and it was evident. Eventually it was sheer perseverance of Yannick Carrasco that brought the equalising goal for the visitors. The Belgian finished his individual effort with a superb strike from inside the box. Diego Lopez was not quick enough to react and the ball flew into bottom right corner.300 – Atlético de Madrid have score 300 goals for the first time against a single opponent in LaLiga (301 goals scored vs Espanyol). Historic. pic.twitter.com/qowuVse3LK— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 12, 2021 The goal was huge for the favourites. Espanyol were still brave, still confronting Atletico with their own chances.Ten minutes of stoppage time (VAR checks, fouls and substitutions) provided a massive opportunity for Los Colchoneros to score their second and collect all three points.Best player among the guests had another massive chance in the 93rd minute – Carrasco burst into the box, cut inside his man and sent an rocket just past the left post.And as always – never write off Atletico Madrid and Cholo Simeone. Superb work from Carrasco, who played a vital role in the build-up, then sent a cheeky ball to Lemar, who managed to beat Diego Lopez with a brilliant shot into the right side of the net.Coisa mais lindaaaaaa 😍🔞🔥 #AtleticoMadrid #ATM #Carrasco 2️⃣1️⃣ #Lemar 1️⃣1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/LgxGfi5y3l— Kushller12 🇾🇪 (@Kushller12) September 12, 2021 It was a great test for Atletico and it will give them a confidence boost in the following period. Atletico’s next match will be against Porto in three days as part of the newest Champions League campaign. Cholo’s men will have to do much much better.LA LIGA – ROUND 4SaturdayLevante – Rayo Vallecano 1-1 (1-0)/Marti 39′ pen – Guardiola 90+2’/Villareal – Alaves – CANCELEDSevilla – Barcelona – CANCELEDAth. Bilbao – Mallorca 2-0 (0-0)/Vivian 68′, Williams 74’/SundayEspanyol – Atl. Madrid 1-2 (1-0)/de Tomas 40′ – Carrasco 79′, Lemar 90+9’/17:15: Osasuna – Valencia19:30: Cadiz – Sociedad22:00: Real Madrid – CeltaMonday21:00: Getafe – Elche23:00: Granada – Betis
