Both sides have been active in the transfer window this summer, and it was one new man for either side who combined for the first real highlight of the contest.
Visiting centre-back David Hancko came close to marking his LaLiga debut with a goal when meeting a corner with his head, only to power his effort straight at new Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic, who flapped it away. At the other end, Jan Oblak began another season between the Atleti posts by keeping out a deflected strike from Roberto Fernández, before he was at full stretch to prevent a Leandro Cabrera header from reaching the top corner.
Julian Alvarez was eager to open his account as soon as possible, trying his luck from distance on a couple of occasions but could only force routine saves from Dmitrovic.
Yet with 37 minutes on the clock, the Argentinian broke the deadlock by curling a free-kick exquisitely over the wall and into the top left corner, giving Dmitrovic no chance.
Javi Puado’s 12 goals last season played a huge role in the Parakeets’ survival, and he was only denied his first of this campaign by Oblak’s excellent saves to keep out the forward’s headers.
Alvarez notched five more than Puado last term, and he almost doubled the visitors’ lead just before the hour mark when Alex Baena slipped a pass through, only for his shot to strike the post and bounce clear.
That miss came at a crucial juncture, given that the previous four league goals scored by Manolo González’s men all came after the 60-minute mark. And with 73 minutes on the clock, they began the late show again. A Tyrhys Dolan free-kick caused havoc in the Atletico box, before Edu Expósito found Miguel Rubio, who forced home the equaliser.
In the closing stages, Pere Milla thought he had wasted the chance to complete the turnaround when he sent a header over from a great position, yet two minutes later he was wheeling away in celebration after he met Omar El Hilali’s cross and directed his header beyond Oblak’s reach.
That goal sealed a first LaLiga opening day win for Espanyol in eight attempts, while Diego Simeone tasted defeat on the opening day for the first time as Atleti manager.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Edu Exposito (Espanyol)