Atletico Madrid open against Malaga at the Metropolitano on Wednesday night, and the main question is whether Diego Simeone's side can start with more control than they showed for much of last season. Atletico finished fourth in La Liga and ended 25 points behind Barcelona, then lost 11 league games. Four new signings are in place, including Alejandro Grimaldo, Lee Kang-in, Morten Hjulmand and Cristian Romero.

Atletico's reset under Simeone

The summer business points to a team trying to tidy up the details from last year rather than chase a total rethink. Grimaldo, Lee Kang-in, Hjulmand and Romero give Atletico options in different areas of the pitch, and that should matter in a game where early control can stop the crowd waiting for a rescue act later on.

There is also a simple football reason to expect Atletico to have the ball in the right areas. They have won 40 of their previous 71 meetings with Malaga in all competitions, including each of the last five, while Malaga's last away win in this fixture came in May 2011.

Malaga's return to La Liga

Malaga are back in the top flight for the first time since 2017-18 after promotion through the 2025-26 Segunda Division playoffs. Juan Francisco Funes will not need reminding that a visit to Atletico is a harsh first assignment for a promoted side, even one with some momentum behind it.

Sports Mole's preview leans the same way. "Malaga are capable of making this a tricky match for Atletico, and we are not expecting many goals, but Simeone's side should be able to navigate their way to all three points," it said, while the outlet's prediction was Atletico Madrid 1-0 Malaga. That feels about right for the type of opener this is.

A home win would not settle every question around Atletico, but it would at least show the new arrivals can help steady a team that was too open too often last season. The league campaign begins with Atletico Madrid vs Malaga, and the first job is keeping the game under control.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →