First Division - Day 33

Espanyol 2 - Atlético Madrid 1

Espanyol: Kameni; Zabaleta (David García 87'), Lacruz, Jarque, Chica; Moisés Hurtado, Angel Martínez; Rufete, Luis García (Julián 76'), Moha (Corominas 68'); Pandiani. 4-2-3-1.
Atlético: Pichu Cuéllar; Perea (Maxi 46'), Eller, Pablo, Pernía (Petrov 46'); Galletti, Costinha (Maniche 76'), Jurado, Antonio López; Agüero, Mista. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Espanyol: Lacruz, Jarque, Chica, Moisés Hurtado, Angel Martínez, Luis García, Moha, Pandiani for Torrejón, Serrán, Velasco, Edu Costa, Ito, Jonatas, Riera, Corominas / Atlético: Pichu Cuéllar, Perea, Eller, Mista for Leo Franco, Seitaridis, Zé Castro, Fernando Torres.

Goals:
1-0. 09. Moha. First time volley from wide angle following Rufete's cross.
2-0. 74. Pandiani. Following up after Cuéllar pushed out centre from Coro.
2-1. 91. Petrov. Hooked ball past Kameni after Antonio López cross deflected.

Sixth placed Atlético Madrid were beaten 2-1 by Espanyol, and their place in the UEFA cup spots is now in danger. Ernesto Valverde made eight changes after the midweek UEFA cup victory over Werder Bremen, but even so the home side went ahead in the eighth minute when Moha got on the end of Rufete's high cross to strike home a spectacular volley. Pandaini could have added a second, and although Atlético had several attempts after that, Kameni was only really troubled by an effort from Agüero close to half time.

Aguirre decided to bring on Maxi and Petrov at the break, the former making his first appearance after a six month lay off and the latter making only his second. But they made little difference, and Moha came close to a second when he broke through only to shoot over the bar.

Tempers flared when Agüero carried on playing with Moha lying injured, and Ito was shown a red card after threatening the player from the bench. And soon afterwards Espanyol went two up, Pandiani scoring the easiest of goals after Cuéllar could only push Coro's cross into his path. Petrov did get one back in the dying minutes, but it was too late to change the result. Atlético must be hoping that the season ends as soon as possible.