The clash between Atlético’s rapid, high-intensity approach and Manolo González’s carefully crafted strategy, which relied on a slow simmering of a five-man defense, unfolded in a way no one anticipated. The plan, designed to emphasize patience and resilience, was swiftly undermined in the opening moments of the match.
Inside the Metropolitano dressing room, Calero roused his teammates with the rallying cry, “First few minutes, guys!” fully aware of the fierce onslaught that an eager Atlético was about to unleash. Their intention was clear: to settle the game quickly, thereby allowing them to focus subsequent efforts on their upcoming encounter with Brujas. This “fast food” style of play was to clash with the “slow-cooked” defensive setup that Manolo González hoped would serve as the main course.
Unexpected Turn of Events in the Early Minutes
Contrary to expectations, it was the Espanyol side that seized the initiative in those critical early minutes. With Dolan slicing through the flank like a dagger and Jofre capitalizing on a fortuitous rebound, Espanyol quickly disrupted Atlético’s rhythm. The threat escalated when a powerful shot from Espanyol grazed the right post of Oblak, narrowly missing what could have been a second goal.
This early dominance by Espanyol, in stark contrast to the tactical blueprint of both teams, underscored the unpredictability of the encounter. Despite Atlético’s aggressive intent to impose a swift resolution, the initial phase revealed vulnerabilities, challenging the pre-match assumptions about control and tempo.