Atleti grind out a fifth straight LaLiga win at Cornellà, 0-1, with Álex Baena scoring a last-minute winner — but Koke's muscular injury is the real story and will test squad depth in the weeks ahead.
Atlético beat Espanyol 0-1 at the RCDE Stadium on matchday 9, with Álex Baena scoring a last-minute goal to claim all three points. Oblak was again decisive with a crucial save. Simeone rested key men including Llorente and Grimaldo.
The captain suffered a muscular injury in his thigh and will miss the next several matches. He had only just returned to training after the death of his mother, making this doubly painful timing. Cardoso was also unavailable for Espanyol.
Post-match, Simeone singled out Baena as exactly the profile he went looking for — a player who reads the game differently. With the winner coming in the dying minutes, the 10's impact is becoming defining. Cholo also warned Barrios not to let the praise soften him.
With both Koke and Cardoso unavailable, Simeone turned to Hjulmand and Barrios as his midfield double pivot at Cornellà. This is now the likely combination for the foreseeable future given Koke's injury.
Oblak kept another clean sheet, with his saves at Espanyol continuing a run of crucial interventions. He is now just five appearances away from matching Adelardo's all-time record of 553 games for the club.
Five consecutive LaLiga wins puts Atleti on a rhythm comparable to the season they won their last Liga title. One point behind the pace at this juncture, with the Clásico providing a potential gap-closing opportunity.
Barcelona have been readmitted to LaLiga's Delegated Commission, with Real Madrid also maintaining their seat. Atlético's CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín keeps his role as First Vice-President.