Atletico’s Tiago leapt well to steer Gabi’s cross into the top corner before the break against Espanyol and substitute Mario Suarez scored from close range in the 70th minute.
Antoine Griezmann could have given it a more resounding win five minutes from the end but his shot came back off the outside of the post with keeper Kiko Casilla beaten.
Diego Simeone’s side has been seeking to get back on track and show the consistency that saw it win the championship but it has lacked the solidity in defence of last season.
On Sunday it managed to keep a clean sheet following a 3-1 defeat at Valencia before the international break.
“I think the team did what it had to do and was in control,” Simeone said at a news conference.
The result : Atletico Madrid 2 (Tiago 43, Suarez 70) bt Espanyol 0.
