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Opposition lowdown: Atlético de Madrid
What to know about Wednesday's opponents at the RCDE Stadium
RCD Espanyol are in midweek action as they host Atlético de Madrid on Wednesday.
After an important win on the weekend at Rayo Vallecano, Espanyol will now look to escape the relegation zone at the RCDE Stadium. Atlético are one of the inform teams with Champions League football secured, as they now aim to secure second in LaLiga.
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Name: Club Atlético de Madrid
Nickname: Los Colchoneros (The Mattress Makers)
Manager: Diego Simeone
Stadium: Cívitas Metropolitano – 68,000 capacity
Last match: W 3-0 vs Osasuna
Current position: 2nd
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The season so far
After going into the World Cup break outside of the top four, Atléti have had an impressive resurgence and been in outstanding form since. Their upturn in results now sees Diego Simeone’s side in second, currently with one defeat in their last five matches.
Standout player
No player has come close to Antoine Griezmann this season, back to his best at Atléti and enjoying one of his finest individual campaigns. The Frenchman has 30 goal contributions across all competitions and has the most assists for both the Colchoneros and in the league as a whole.
Last time at the RCDE Stadium
Atléti are back at the Temple for the first time in 20 months, when they contested matchday 4 last season at the RCDE Stadium. Espanyol went ahead in the first half and were so close to a result, but two late goals conceded gave the visitors a 2-1 win.
Club links
Jordi Lardín is a distinguished player for both Espanyol and Atléti, emerging from the blanquiazul academy and into the first team. He spent five years at Espanyol before returning on loan in 2001, while he represented Atléti between 1997 and 2002.