In this episode of Partido a Partido, we break down a dramatic week for Atlético de Madrid. We start with the 3-2 Champions League defeat at Anfield, where Atleti showed resilience by coming back from two goals down before heartbreak at the death. We then shift to LaLiga, looking at the team’s first home win of the season against Villarreal with Pablo Barrios and debutant Nicolás González on the scoresheet. Finally, we look ahead to the weekend clash with Mallorca, discussing what Simeone’s side needs to keep building momentum.

🔴⚪ Compact defense, high press, and the fight for consistency, all on the table this week.

In this episode, we preview Atlético Madrid vs Villarreal (Matchday 4) with a full tactical breakdown and season context.

• Early season form – Villarreal flying with 7 points and the league’s best attack vs Atlético struggling for consistency and clean sheets.

• Transfer window takeaways – how both clubs spent big and reshaped their squads.

• Villarreal focus – Pepe’s attacking threat, midfield power from Pape Gueye & Comesaña, and their new-look defense.

• Tactical battles – Simeone’s defense vs Pepe, midfield duels, and

• Champions League angle – what’s at stake for both teams with Europe around the corner.

• Predictions – expected lineups, scorelines, and how the season might unfold for both clubs.

on this episode of The PaPPod, Emmanuel and Kelvin break down the Champions League draw for Atlético Madrid and other LaLiga clubs, analyzed Atlético’s 1–1 draw with Elche, discussing midfield struggles, key substitutions, and major takeaways from the match. Plus, a preview of the upcoming clash against Alavés; current form, standout players, and what Atleti needs to fix to get back on track.

Atlético Madrid opened the season with a shock 2–1 defeat against Espanyol, ending Simeone’s long unbeaten start streaks. We break down the key moments: Simeone’s substitutions, the midfield collapse, and Atleti’s struggles in attack and defense.

We also discuss the latest on Sørloth’s future, Baena’s injury setback, and preview Matchday 2 against Elche, including tactical battles, line-up expectations, and what Atlético must fix

Was the defeat against Espanyol just an opening-day stumble, or an early warning sign for Atleti’s season

How Atlético’s summer signings could reshape Simeone’s tactical approach.

The impact of losing key players and the challenge of replacing dribbling threat on the wings.

Expected tactical shifts between 4-4-2 and 3-5-2 in the new season, and what that means for the team’s structure in and out of possession.

The battle for starting spots in midfield and attack, with focus on Barrios’s role, Gallagher’s fit, and Sørloth’s potential as a consistent starter.

Defensive dynamics: Giménez’s injury concerns, David Hancko and Simeone’s experiment with Pubill as a centre-back.

Squad depth and rotation challenges across competitions, and whether Simeone can balance stability with evolution in style.

Predictions for Atlético’s 2025/26 campaign.