It’s incredible how a single detail can turn an entire season upside down, leaving a team completely shaken. For Atletico Madrid, that detail was the bizarre, millimeter-close, double contact with the ball by Julian Alvarez in the penalty shootout against Real Madrid. After that blunder, Atletico’s season took a nosedive—without brakes, accelerating faster and faster.That same night, they were eliminated from the Champions League. Then, Barcelona dismantled them at the Metropolitano in a league match. The international break did nothing to help Diego Simeone regroup and lift his wounded squad. In LaLiga’s 29th round, Atletico dropped points against Espanyol, leaving them with only dreams of the Spanish title—1:1.All over in Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/Hk2LZKy2KC— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 29, 2025 Just four rounds ago, Los Colchoneros were nearly level with Real Madrid and Barcelona, trailing their great rivals by only a single point. Now, league leaders Barcelona are six points ahead, second-placed Real three, with both teams having a game in hand. Atletico’s only realistic shot at a trophy remains the Copa del Rey, where they face Barcelona in the second leg of the semifinals on April 2 after a dramatic 4-4 draw at Montjuic.Following defeats to Getafe and Barcelona, even Cesar Azpilicueta’s stunning goal in the 38th minute wasn’t enough to prevent another setback. The former Chelsea captain struck a spectacular volley, scoring his first-ever LaLiga goal in his 133rd appearance and his first for Atletico in 48 matches. It was a goal worthy of celebration after a three-year drought, but today’s match won’t be remembered fondly.🚨🇪🇸 GOAL | Espanyol 0-1 Atlético Madrid | Cesar AzpilicuetaWHAT A GOAL FROM CESAR AZPILICUETA! 🤯pic.twitter.com/kxNc0l3p1Y— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) March 29, 2025 Nor will Antoine Griezmann, despite setting a historic record in LaLiga. In the defeat to Barcelona before the international break, he equaled Lionel Messi’s record of 520 appearances in the Spanish top flight. Today, he became the outright leader in league appearances among foreign players.Diego Simeone opted to rest his Argentine internationals, Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo De Paul, following their national team’s clashes with Uruguay and Brazil. De Paul entered early in the second half, while La Arana came on midway through, but Atletico’s chase for the top was ultimately undone by Clement Lenglet. The Frenchman made a reckless mistake in the 70th minute, pulling an opponent’s jersey even as he entered the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty, which Espanyol’s top scorer, Javi Puado, converted with a flawless strike from the spot.🚨🇪🇸 GOAL | Espanyol 1-1 Atlético Madrid | Javi PuadoJAVI PUADO HAS EQUALIZED FOR ESPANYOL!pic.twitter.com/0Eyxe4OyLX— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) March 29, 2025 Simeone’s side failed to create enough real chances—out of 13 attempts, only two were on target. Despite that, a team with their experience should have been able to protect a one-goal lead. Before the penalty, Espanyol hadn’t even registered a shot on target, and Jan Oblak hadn’t been called into action.Simeone’s last throw of the dice came in the 81st minute with the introductions of Pablo Barrios and Reinildo Mandava, but neither player could significantly alter Atlético’s attacking approach. Perhaps things would have been different if Cholo had Angel Correa available, but his impact sub was serving a suspension.LA LIGA – MATCHDAYS 27 and 29Thursday Barcelona – Osasuna 3-0 (2-0)/Torres 10, Olmo (p) 20, Lewandowski 77/Saturday Sociedad – Valladolid 2-1 (1-0)/Oyarzabal 23, Gomez 68 – Latasa 90+3/Espanyol – Atl. Madrid 1-1 (0-1)/Puado 71 pen, Azpilicueta 38/20.30: (2.30) Alaves (3.05) Rayo Vallecano (3.75)23.00: (1.15) Real Madrid (7.75) Leganes (19.0)Sunday15:00: (3.35) Getafe (3.20) Villarreal (2.40)17:15: (1.25) Barcelona (6.50) Girona FC (10.0)19:30: (1.47) Athletic Club (4.20) Osasuna (7.50)19:30: (2.20) Valencia (3.20) Mallorca (3.80)22:00: (1.90) Betis (3.60) Sevilla (4.50)Monday22:00: (1.65) Celta Vigo (4.25) Las Palmas (5.70)***odds are subject to change***
