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0-1: All eyes on the second leg

RCD Espanyol B edged out in play-off first leg by Atlético de Madrid B

RCD Espanyol B were beaten 1-0 in the Segunda RFEF play-off first leg against Atlético de Madrid B on Sunday.

The regular season was over and the time had come for the Segunda RFEF play-offs, with a spot in the third tier of Spanish football at stake. An all-B team tie saw Atlético visit the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque, as Luis Blanco’s boys looked to take an advantage in front of an excited home crowd.

Aleix Gorjón had the opening chance as his header was just shy of the target, before Atléti’s Diego Bri got in behind and was only denied by a brilliant challenge from Simo. Espanyol seized the momentum and were not far off from taking the lead, first from Roger Martínez’s long shot before Antoniu Roca fired just wide.

The hosts looked good and were playing well with the support of the blanquiazul faithful, but Atléti were not to be underestimated for one moment. They were in on goal when it was put on a plate for Sergio Guerrero, but Omar El-Hilali made a superb tackle at the last minute, celebrated as if it were a goal to keep it at stalemate at half-time.

A cagey start to the second half meant neither side could settle down nor get a sight at goal. However Atléti would find their way through and strike first, taking the lead through Bri. This triggered a triple change from Blanco to get back into the match, bringing on Juan Camilo Becerra, Raúl Dacosta and Joan Puig.

Atléti had a huge chance to double their lead when Bri picked up on a loose ball, but Ángel Fortuño made a terrific save from close range to keep them out. Espanyol pushed but were left defeated in the first leg, with it all to play for in the second leg next Sunday away at the Ciudad Deportiva Wanda De Majadahonda.

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Match information

RCD Espanyol B: Fortuño, Omar, Simo, Gorjón, Lancho (Joan Puig 71’), Villahermosa, Roger Martínez (Mangada 88’), Javi Hernández (Becerra 71’), A. Roca (Dacosta 71’), Nabil, Abde (Omar Sadik 78’)

Atlético de Madrid B: A. Iturbe, Marco, Joel Arumí, Kostis, J. Boñar, S. Guerrero (Assan 46’), Cala (Alber 86’), Gismera, Dani G. (Ethyan 81’), Carlos M., Diego Bri (F. González 90+2’)

Referee: Alejandro Morilla Turrión

Goals: 0-1 Diego Bri 62’

Bookings: Simo 12’, Villahermosa 68’, Omar 84’, Roger Martínez 87’

Attendance: Approx. 1,400