Atletico Madrid vs Malaga – Predicted lineup and team news

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The Football Faithful

·19 August 2026

Atletico Madrid vs Malaga – Predicted lineup and team news

Atletico Madrid open their 2026/27 La Liga campaign against Malaga this evening.

Diego Simeone’s side welcome the newly-promoted side to the Metropolitano, aiming to start the Spanish season with victory.

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Atletico have had an impressive summer in the transfer window with a number of eye-catching arrivals. Alejandro Grimaldo, Morten Hjulmand, Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-in have all arrived for a combined sum of around €150m, as the Rojiblancos look to challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid at the summit.

Malaga make their return to La Liga for the first time since 2018 and must overcome a poor record in this fixture. Atletico have won the last five meetings between the teams.

Atletico Madrid team news

The fixture will come too soon for Cristian Romero to make his debut for Atletico, following a €40m arrival from Tottenham. Doubts also remain over Alexander Sorloth, after the Norwegian picked up an issue last week.

Sorloth’s race to be fit could be further compounded by uncertainty over Julian Alvarez, who was left out of the last pre-season game amid speculation over his future. Simeone, and Atletico, have insisted the Barcelona target is not for sale. Alvarez has expressed his desire to leave Atletico for their La Liga rivals.

Elsewhere, both Lee Kang-in and Grimaldo should start for Simeone’s side. Arnau Ortiz will lead the line if Sorloth is deemed unable to feature.