The Malaguistas, newly promoted and back in the top flight for the first time in eight years, travel to face a Madrid outfit that finished 4th last season (securing a UEFA Champions League spot).
Referee Adrián Cordero will officiate #AtletiMálaga. The 42-year-old from Cantabria has refereed 114 matches across six seasons in the First Division. He will be assisted by Valencian referee Iván Caparrós on VAR.
Players in common Atlético de Madrid-Málaga CF
Movilla, Cristian Díaz, Ruano, De los Santos, Musampa, Salva Ballesta, Diego Alonso, José Juan Luque, Molinero, Adrián López, Sergio Asenjo, Camacho, Demichelis, Jesús Gámez, Keko Gontán, Borja Bastón, Roberto Jiménez, Werner, Keidi Bare, Héctor Hernández, Montero, Joaquín Muñoz and Niño
(*) There have been several players (between 2018-26) who played for Atlético de Madrid’s reserve team: Iván Alejo, Iván Calero, Cristian Rodríguez, Ismael Gutiérrez, Sergio Guerrero ‘Mini’ and C. Puga. Atlético goalkeeper, Salvi Esquivel is a former homegrown Blue and White player
Coaches in common Atlético de Madrid-Málaga CF
Joaquín Peiró, Gregorio Manzano and Marcos Alonso
(*) Bernd Schuster, former colchonero player, was coach of Málaga CF in the 13/14 season
Players in common Atlético de Madrid-CD Málaga
Bachiller, Arana, Rafa, Laréu, Jimeno, Saso, Pastor, Quiralte, Lecue, Carbelo, Torres, Arnau, Méndez, Estruch, Tercero, Zamora, Vera, Ares, Chuzo, Rives, Orozco, Laguna, Salcedo, Juanito, Clemente, Ruiz and Jaro
Coaches in common Atlético de Madrid-CD Málaga
Ricardo Zamora, Antonio Barrios, Helenio Herrera, Sabino Barinaga, Domingo Balmanya, Otto Bumbel and Marcel Domingo
Match info
• Málaga and Atlético have made four signings each so far. For Málaga: Cruz, Calero, Dotor and Salinas; for the hosts: Grimaldo, Hjulmand, Lee Kang-in and ‘Cuti’ Romero.
• Aaron Ochoa will miss the game through suspension. If selected, Juani and Otu would make their debuts in the Blue and White shirt. If Otu makes his debut, he would become the first player in history to play for Málaga CF, Atlético Malagueño and Málaga ‘C’.
• Juanfran Funes will make his debut as a coach in LaLiga. A win or draw would extend his three best unbeaten runs as Málaga coach last season, all of which lasted nine matches. Opposite him will be ‘Cholo’ Simeone, who made his LaLiga coaching debut against Málaga at La Rosaleda during the 2011/12 season, after replacing ‘Goyo’ Manzano.
Stats and facts
• Málaga CF were the first team to visit what was then the Wanda Metropolitano (1-0, an Atlético win in 2017/18), previously known as the Estadio Olímpico de Madrid, which had hosted football matches as well as events in other sports. It was the first time a Málaga match had been played to inaugurate a stadium in Spain’s top flight. In total, Málaga CF have played LaLiga matches at six different stadiums in the Community of Madrid.
• The first Atlético-MCF. On 16th April 2000, Málaga CF, who still had a chance of qualifying for European competition, visited Atlético Madrid at the Vicente Calderón on matchday 33 of the 1999/00 season, with the hosts in the relegation zone. The game ended 2-2, with Málaga’s goals scored by Rufete and Catanha.
• Málaga CF visited the Vicente Calderón 14 times to face Atlético Madrid. Málaga recorded two wins in consecutive seasons, 0-2 in 2009/10 and 0-3 in 2010/11, along with two draws and 10 Atlético victories.
• The first official match played by CD Málaga against Atlético Madrid (then known as Atlético Aviación) also marked their first visit to the Stadium Metropolitano, which was Atlético Madrid’s home from 1923 to 1966. It was the second leg of the first round of the Copa del Generalísimo.
• In the 1952/53 season, CD Málaga, coached by Chales, defeated Atlético Madrid 1-3 at the Estadio Metropolitano. That victory, the only away win recorded by CD Málaga in its history against the Madrid side, led to the dismissal of legendary coach Helenio Herrera, who, weeks later, took charge of CD Málaga.
• In the opening matchday of their previous 17 seasons in the First Division, Málaga CF recorded 6 wins, 3 draws and 8 defeats.
