Baena's strike on 89 won it, but Hjulmand was the star of the show

Winning games like this matters a lot in the league

Atlético won 1-0 away to Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. The winner came on 89, when Álex Baena took Julián Álvarez's square pass and hit it right-footed from outside the box into the top left-hand corner. Atlético had 70% of the ball and 19 shots to ten. They were the better side, so it was good to get the result to go with it.

But it was not a dominant performance. By FotMob's count Atlético created three big chances, two for David and one for Julián, but none of them was put away and the goal did not come until the 89th minute. There was every chance it could have finished 0-0. Winning games like this makes a huge difference in the league. Atlético have won seven, drawn one and lost one of their nine league games, and on 22 points they are second as of 18 October, five behind Barcelona, who have won them all.

Atlético's biggest weapon right now is the depth of their midfield

Koke, Barrios, Johnny Cardoso and Hjulmand are all top-class players. For this game Koke (left hamstring injury) and Cardoso (gastroenteritis) did not travel, so two of the four were missing. Even so, it was Atlético who had the ball throughout the game.

Morten Hjulmand went beyond what was expected of him, and kept it up for the full 90 minutes. It was his first league start since the Real Sociedad game, his 108 touches were the most in the team, and he made six interceptions. ItC gave him an 8 (level with Baena) and FotMob 8.2, the highest mark in the team on both.

His performance off the bench against Manchester United was also excellent. Moments after his introduction on 71, he played a through ball that sent David clear, and that led to Yoro being sent off. After that game Simeone said: "Morten came on well too."

In the same press conference Simeone also talked about Pablo Barrios: "We are trying to manage his minutes with him," and "I'd like to play him for the 90 minutes, but we have to look after him so that he gives his best version in every game of the season." Managing Barrios's workload is important. Here he played until 55.

The Romero-Hancko centre-back pairing is very solid

The centre-back pairing of Cristian Romero and Dávid Hancko is very solid as well. In the five games this season in which both have started, Atlético have conceded three goals in total. In this game too, Espanyol had ten shots with two on target, and Oblak's first save came on 90+4.

Romero was booked on 66 and replaced on 67. According to Simeone after the game, it was Romero himself who asked to come off. He is reported to have felt slight discomfort in his thigh, and he is a doubt for the next game, against Stuttgart. Even if it turns out to be minor, it feels safer not to expect him to play.

Julián's three shots were all impressive

Julián Álvarez came on at half-time, and all three of the shots he had were impressive. The one from outside the box on 76 and the one from the middle of the box on 85 were both kept out by the goalkeeper, Fortuño, and his effort from outside the box on 90+4 went just wide to the left. In between, on 89, he set up Baena's winner. It feels as though he is getting sharper.

But he still has no goals this season after seven games in all competitions. The next Champions League game is away from home, and that is where a goal from him would be most welcome. The Champions League suits Julián. Across his time at City and Atlético he has scored 25 goals in 44 games in the competition.

Lookman was poor, and Julián and Sørloth are still without a goal

Next to a midfield with top-class depth and quality, the forwards need to give a bit more. Lookman started, was poor and was taken off at half-time. His one shot was off target and neither of his two dribbles came off. Sørloth was on the bench but did not get on; his only appearance this season was a late one off the bench against Alavés, and like Julián he has yet to score. If they hit form, Atlético should drop even fewer points.

Beat Stuttgart and a top-eight finish is still very much on

In the Champions League Atlético have one win and one defeat from two games, have three points and are 15th. Every club in the top eight has won both games for six points. Next up is an away game against Stuttgart, who are fourth. A win there would leave them with a good chance of finishing in the top eight of the league phase and going straight through.

On 3 November Atlético host Bayern in the Champions League, and that weekend they are at home to Barcelona in La Liga. Before then, it would be good to see the forwards move up another level.

Ratings

Starters

Substitutes

ItC ratings via Into the Calderón; FotMob ratings via FotMob.