Llorente and Baena called up; Julián, 'Cuti', Sorloth, Vargas, and Lemar absent

Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone has called up midfielders Marcos Llorente and Álex Baena for the team's LaLiga season opener against Málaga. The pair, along with goalkeeper Juan Musso, have rejoined training after international duty and are included in the squad for Wednesday night's match at the Metropolitano.

However, several key players are unavailable. Julián Álvarez and Cristian 'Cuti' Romero are still building match fitness after their extended breaks. Alexander Sorloth is sidelined with a muscle injury. Additionally, Obed Vargas and Thomas Lemar are facing uncertain futures at the club and could depart before the transfer window closes.

Simeone commented on Álvarez's readiness, stating the forward needs more training sessions to be at his best for Sunday's match against Villarreal. The coach emphasized Álvarez's importance, calling him potentially the team's best offensive player and expressing a desire to build the team around his talent.

Romero has only completed four specific training sessions since his transfer from Tottenham. The squad for the Málaga match includes five players from the youth team: goalkeeper Salvador Esquivel, defenders Jorge Domínguez and Dani Martínez, midfielder Jorge Castillo, and forward Miguel Cubo. The full squad comprises 24 players.