Kang-In and Baena break down Málaga's resistance and make their Atlético debut with a win

Atlético de Madrid

The 2026/27 season got under way at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano with very different storylines. Los Rojiblancos started another campaign with high hopes and a refreshed squad, while the Málaga returned to La Liga eight years later, relying on a young core with a strong presence of homegrown players. The Andalusians did not come to Madrid just to defend: for many minutes they managed to unsettle Atlético and keep the possibility of taking points alive.

First half

Atlético tried to take control from the start, although they struggled to find spaces near the area of Alfonso Herrero. The first notable home chance came from Carlos Martín in the 7th minute, with a finish that was too high after a counterattack driven by Arnau Ortiz. Málaga responded shortly after: David Larrubia received the ball from Carlos Puga inside the area and fired a shot that went very close to Oblak's right post.

Simeone's side gradually settled into the opposition half, but without managing to speed things up with any consistency. Hancko tried his luck with an action that ended up blocked, and Rodrigo Mendoza found the goal from outside the box in the 35th minute, although Alfonso Herrero answered confidently. Málaga defended in a compact shape, closed off the inside channels, and forced Atlético to build more than they wanted. The break arrived with 0-0, and the sense that the favorites needed something different to disrupt the match.

Second half

Simeone made the first move in the right-back position, bringing on Marcos Llorente for Jorge Domínguez after the break. Lookman forced Herrero into action as soon as the second half began, but the turning point came in the 57th minute. Kang-In Lee, Álex Baena and Giuliano Simeone came on in a burst, replacing Carlos Martín, Arnau Ortiz and Rodrigo Mendoza. Just before that, Herrero had again kept Málaga in it with a good save against Mendoza.

With the new pieces, Atlético increased their pressure and started to win the ball higher up the pitch. Kang-In warned with several attempts from mid-range until, in the 70th minute, he received a pass from Hancko, advanced towards the edge of the box, and fired a left-footed strike that finished in the corner. 1-0 and a perfect presentation from the South Korean against the Metropolitano.

The goal finally freed the home side. Alfonso Herrero again intervened against Lookman in the 74th minute, and a minute later Hancko smashed a header against the crossbar after a corner delivered by Baena. Málaga tried to freshen things up with Juan Cruz, Rafa Rodríguez, José Salinas, Ramón Enríquez and Eneko Jauregi, but they were increasingly finding it hard to get out of their own half.

The verdict arrived in the 85th minute. Izan Merino fouled Baena in a dangerous area, and the Spanish international himself took the free kick: a direct strike, over the wall and into the corner. Álex Baena signed the 2-0 with a direct free kick and closed out a match Atlético had needed to mature before breaking it from the bench.

Top performers Comunio / Sofascore

14

Kang-In Lee
9.890.000€+330.000€    -

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For Atlético de Madrid, the big fantasy winner was Kang-In Lee, who finished with 14 Comunio points and an 8.1 on Sofascore. He came on in the 57th minute and needed just thirteen minutes to unlock the game with the 1-0. His immediate impact makes him one of the names most likely to be boosted by the season opener. Very close behind was Álex Baena, with 13 Comunio points and 7.7 on Sofascore: he too started as a substitute, brought danger from set pieces, provided the corner that Hancko sent onto the crossbar, and finished by scoring the second goal.

David Hancko also deserves special mention, reaching 12 Comunio points and an excellent 8.8 on Sofascore. The defender provided the assist for the first goal, nearly scored with a header off the crossbar, and contributed to a clean sheet. A perfect combination for any fantasy setup. Pablo Barrios also posted good numbers, with 9 Comunio points and 7.8 on Sofascore, confirming his importance in building Atlético's play.

9

Alfonso Herrero
2.610.000€+130.000€    -

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For Málaga, the best-rated player was Alfonso Herrero, with 9 Comunio points and 7.8 on Sofascore. He conceded two goals, but he prevented the scoreline from opening earlier with key interventions against Mendoza and Lookman. For fantasy purposes, his performance shows that a goalkeeper can still be well valued even in a defeat when he accumulates work and makes saves.

Among Málaga's outfield players, Carlos Dotor stood out with 7 Comunio points and 7.4 on Sofascore, before being substituted in the 67th minute. On the opposite flank was Chupe, who finished the match with 0 Comunio points and a 5.9 on Sofascore. There were no negative Comunio scores among the players shown, although the forward's rating reflects a night with little fantasy return.

Match details

Result: Atlético de Madrid 2-0 Málaga CF.

Goals: 1-0, Kang-In Lee (70'), assist by Dávid Hancko; 2-0, Álex Baena (85'), direct free kick.

Stadium: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid.

Referee: Adrián Cordero Vega.

Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Jorge Domínguez, Robin Le Normand, Dávid Hancko, Dani Martínez; Koke, Pablo Barrios, Rodrigo Mendoza; Carlos Martín, Arnau Ortiz and Ademola Lookman.

Málaga CF: Alfonso Herrero; Carlos Puga, Ángel Recio, Einar Galilea, Rafita; David Larrubia, Dani Lorenzo, Izan Merino, Joaquín Muñoz; Carlos Dotor and Chupe.