Ademola Lookman of Atlético Madrid made headlines by scoring a crucial goal in their recent UEFA Champions League match against Club Brugge, which ended in a 3-3 draw. As they prepare for their upcoming domestic clash, Atlético will host Espanyol this Saturday, seeking to regain their form before the international break at the end of March.
Currently placed sixth in La Liga with 35 points, Espanyol has experienced a challenging start to 2026, managing to secure just one point in their last five encounters. Despite a promising early season, the team now faces a tough task as head coach Manolo González has yet to lose in three meetings with Atlético’s seasoned manager, Diego Simeone. The focus for Espanyol will be on players like Pere Milla, who leads the team with six goals this season, and left-back Carlos Romero, on loan from Villarreal, who has made his mark with four goals and two assists.
Simeone’s Atlético Madrid, sitting fourth in the league with 45 points, will look to bounce back from a rollercoaster of recent performances that included a significant victory over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, followed by a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano and a blown lead against Club Brugge. With an eye on both the league and the critical second leg against Brugge scheduled for Tuesday, strategic decisions regarding player rotation are expected. Potential changes may include Marcos Llorente returning to the right-back position and José María Giménez stepping into the defense.
The possible starting lineup for Atlético could feature Oblak; Llorente, Giménez, Le Normand, Hancko; Vargas, Cardoso, G. Simeone, Baena; Almada, and Sørloth. One key player missing from the squad will be Rodrigo Mendoza, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
Fans eager to tune in can catch the match on February 21, 2026, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The kickoff is set for 9:00 p.m. CEST (8:00 p.m. GMT, 3:00 p.m. EST, 12:00 p.m. PST), with streaming available on ESPN+ in the United States and Movistar+ in Spain.
With both teams eager to rebound from recent setbacks, this match promises to be a compelling contest, potentially providing a much-needed spark for Atlético Madrid as they push for a top-three position in La Liga.