Eighty-six days removed from a disappointing end to their 2025/26 LaLiga season, Atlético de Madrid are back in action Wednesday night against newly-promoted Málaga.
Atlético have made several new additions to the team, and Diego Simeone’s men will hope to do away with the inconsistencies and bad habits that undermined their 2025/26 LaLiga campaign. That includes stabilizing the away form and improving the defensive line. Morten Hjulmand and Cristian Romero were brought in to bolster the midfield
and defense, Alejandro Grimaldo arrived to provide much needed support at left wing-back and Kang-In Lee arrived as an Antoine Griezmann “replacement.”
Off the pitch, several key players were delayed in rejoining the squad because of FIFA World Cup duties, while the ongoing Julián Alvarez transfer saga dominated much of the summer conversation.
As such, Atlético’s preseason produced mixed results. The Rojiblancos suffered defeats to Manchester United and Manchester City in Sweden and South Korea respectively, but they secured an impressive 4-1 victory over Getafe behind closed doors before wrapping up the summer with a 2-1 win over Marseille in France.
Following an eight-year absence that saw them fall as far as Spain’s third division, Málaga are back in the Primera División. It was a tumultuous climb back to the top, but they got there following a 2-1 away victory over Almería in the second leg of the June’s promotion playoff final.
Juan Francisco Funes took Segunda by storm following his appointment as Málaga manager last November, after the Boquerones had managed just five wins from their opening 15 league matches. Funes guided Málaga on a nine-match unbeaten run, including six consecutive victories, lifting the club into the promotion playoff places.
Now, Funes and the Blanquiazules must shift their focus from earning promotion to securing survival. Málaga will once again need significant production from Carlos Ruiz Rubio — better known as “Chupete” — whose 24 league goals last season were instrumental in the club’s return to the top flight. Adrián Niño, a former Madrileño forward, and David Larrubia will also be relied upon heavily after combining for 21 goals during the promotion campaign.
Alongside that returning attacking production, Málaga strengthened defensively amid the arrivals of Fernando Calero and José Salinas from Espanyol. The club also added extra firepower out wide, bringing in winger Juan Cruz on loan from Leganés.
Team news
The best news of the week was by far the announcement that Madrileño product Arnau Ortiz would be promoted to the first team and be given the No. 16 shirt. His rise to the first team is a wholesome story that will make any true Atlético proud.
One storyline that continues to dominate headlines is the Julián Alvarez saga. However, it finally appears to be entering its closing chapter, with Matteo Moretto reporting on Monday that the chances of Alvarez remaining at the club are “very high.” In training, La Araña has looked every bit like a player focused on football, laughing, joking, and even hugging his teammates (oh, the horror!) while going about business as usual.
The biggest question now is how much Alvarez will be involved against Málaga, if he is involved at all. Atlético’s World Cup winners, Marcos Llorente and Álex Baena, are expected to see limited minutes after returning late from their post-tournament vacations.
Alexander Sørloth has been ruled out after suffering a muscular injury in training. The issue is not believed to be serious, but the club has yet to provide a timetable for his return.
Historical matchup
Historically, Atlético have enjoyed this fixture, winning 40 of their 72 meetings with Málaga across all competitions, while drawing 19 and losing just 13. The Colchoneros have won the past five meetings dating to 2016.
The most recent showdown between the two sides was on Feb. 10, 2018, at La Rosaleda, where Atlético secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a Griezmann strike just one minute into the match.
Possible XI: Oblak; Pubill, Le Normand, Hancko, Grimaldo; Hjulmand, Cardoso, Barrios, Kang-In, Giuliano; Lookman.
Prediction: 3-1. A brace from Ademola Lookman and a debut goal from Kang-In Lee see Atleti get three valuable points to start the year. Chupe scores for Málaga.
Notable players who have represented both clubs
Kiko Narváez, Adrián López, Jesús Gámez, Salva Ballesta and Martín Demichelis.
