Cholo Simeone shapes his lineup for the opening match

Atlético de Madrid

The session offered something more than La Araña's return. Simeone used the training to test structures, move players between squads, and start shaping alternatives for Friday's match, a date that will serve as a new preseason test before the official debut against Málaga at the Metropolitano.

The work began just after 9:00 a.m. at the Ciudad Deportiva in Majadahonda, where the Atlético split the squad into several groups to complete physical tasks. Julián Alvarez started alongside Koke, Lemar, Grimaldo, Baena, Giuliano, Llorente and Pubill, while on another pitch the players who had returned on Monday from Korea trained. Later, Koke and Lemar also joined that group. The only absence was Sortloh.

As the morning went on, the focus shifted to pitch 4. There, Simeone brought his players together to rehearse match situations and split the squad into two teams. With bibs on, Domínguez, Le Normand, Hancko, Grimaldo, Giuliano, Koke, Barrios, Arnau, Kang-in Lee and Lookman started. In the other block were Llorente, Pubill, Giménez, Dani Martínez, Carlos Martín, Hjulmand, Cardoso, Baena, Lemar and Julián Alvarez.

Simeone moves pieces in the session

The Argentine coach did not keep the initial setup for long. Llorente, Pubill, Hjulmand, Baena and Julián then moved to the bibbed team, replacing Domínguez, Le Normand, Koke, Arnau and Kang-in Lee in that arrangement. That change left a clearer picture of a possible lineup for the test against Marseille.

In the final stages, another variation appeared. Simeone worked with a back three made up of Domínguez, Le Normand and Hancko, with Giuliano and Grimaldo wide in the channels. Inside, he placed Hjulmand, Koke and Barrios, while Kang-in Lee and Lookman were left in attacking positions.

Julián Alvarez thus completed his first new work back within the collective dynamic. The Argentine forward is already integrated into the group ahead of the final days of preparation, with the friendly against Marseille on the horizon and his debut against Málaga as the next major reference point on the rojiblanco calendar.