Result hurts, but it’s going to make us improve and grow, Atletico Madrid coach Simeone says

Madrid: Despite debuting most of its new signings, Atletico Madrid couldn’t avoid conceding two late goals and losing its opening Spanish league match for the first-ever time under coach Diego Simeone.

Host Espanyol’s 2-1 win on Sunday was Atletico’s first opening defeat since Simeone took over in late 2011. It hadn’t previously lost an opening league game since 2009.

It was a good start for Espanyol under the ownership of England-based group Velocity Sport Limited and its American shareholders.

“What a wonderful way to start the season, with a win against Atletico Madrid!” US businessman Alan Pace posted on Instagram after attending the match in Barcelona.

Simeone started the match with five of the club’s new signings for the season — Alex Baena, Thiago Almada, Johnny Cardoso, David Hancko and Matteo Ruggeri. Giacomo Raspadori also made his debut coming off the bench in the second half.

Atletico took the lead with Julián Alvarez’s free kick in the 37th minute but conceded goals by Miguel Rubio in the 73rd and Pere Milla in the 84th.

“It happens,” Simeone said. “The result hurts, but it’s going to make us improve and grow. I’m left with all the good things the team did.”

Last season, Atletico only twice lost a league match that it was leading.

“We played a very good first half and we had the match under control in the second,” Atletico midfielder Koke said. “But after their first goal they turned things around.”

Barcelona began the defence of its Spanish league title with a comfortable 3-0 win at nine-man Mallorca on Saturday. Real Madrid hosts Osasuna on Tuesday

With transfer rumours in the past, Nico Williams led Athletic Bilbao to a 3-2 win over Sevilla in its opening Spanish league match.

Williams, who had been linked with a move to Barcelona in the off-season but seems set to stay with his boyhood club, put the hosts ahead by converting a 36th-minute penalty kick.

Athletic, coming off a fourth-placed finish last season, added to the lead with a goal from Maroan Sannadi in the 43rd before Sevilla rallied with goals by Dodi Lukebakio in the 60th and Lucien Agoume in the 72nd.

Robert Navarro put Athletic back in front for good by scoring in the 81st.

Goalkeeper Unai Simon helped the hosts secure the victory as Sevilla pressed forward to the end.

It was Athletic’s first match with Inaki Williams, Nico Williams’ older brother, as its main captain — a first for a Black player at the club that traditionally only fields players from Spain’s northern Basque Country region or adjoining areas.

Getafe got off to a 2-0 win at Celta Vigo with second-half goals from Adrian Liso and Christantus Uche.

The Madrid club had a depleted squad after not being able to register many of its new players because of financial fair play regulations.

It was a disappointing start for Celta after a season in which it finished in the European places.

On Friday, Rayo Vallecano won at Girona 3-1 and Villarreal defeated promoted Oviedo 2-0.