Morten Hjulmand shines vs Espanyol, raising competition in Atletico's midfield

Danish midfielder Morten Hjulmand of Atlético Madrid was one of the players being watched at RCDE Stadium—and he delivered a standout performance in the middle of the park. As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Hjulmand had fallen out of Diego Pablo Simeone’s immediate plans in recent weeks after Johnny Cardoso impressed off the bench against Real Sociedad.

Proving he belongs

From then on, Cardoso became a regular starter, while Hjulmand had to settle for a secondary role. Against Espanyol, however, Hjulmand was among the steadier options, supporting Pablo Barrios in the engine room. The match underlined how Simeone’s double-pivot competition will run through the season, with Cardoso, Barrios, Koke, Mendoza, Obed Vargas and even Marcos Llorente all in the fight.

Numbers without fouls

Hjulmand’s impact was backed by the stats: 108 touches, 89 passes (40 in his own half) and 13 recoveries in the final third, plus six interceptions and four clearances. He also won three of five aerial duels and two of three on the ground, finishing with no fouls and just one yellow card after a dispute inside the box before a corner.