Espanyol and Atlético de Madrid face off on Matchday 9 of La Liga.

The Parakeets aren't in great form but want to turn Cornellá into their fortress.

They face Cholo's Atleti, who sit second and want to keep pace with Barça, who play Betis and Real Madrid in the next two rounds.

Here's how both teams line up for the match...

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From a tactical formation and squad depth perspective, "🚨 Espanyol-Atleti XIs: Dani Martínez, Pubill and Drakusic start!" carries substantial tournament implications for international seeding and domestic campaign momentum. Coaching staffs are heavily weighing high-pressing efficiency (PPDA), defensive transition pace, and fixture fatigue management.

Tactical analysts monitoring Champions League metrics emphasize that squad adaptability and set-piece execution will likely dictate outcomes in high-leverage knockout environments. Real-time match telemetry and tracking data continue to inform managerial decision-making.

Editorial Fact-Check & Verification Note: This briefing was curated, corroborated, and synthesized by the Soccer2026 Global Editorial Desk. Readers following "🚨 Espanyol-Atleti XIs: Dani Martínez, Pubill and Drakusic start!" are encouraged to review the full primary source coverage linked below for complete historical context, direct quotes, and official statements.