Atlético Madrid begin the 2025–26 campaign with a sense of quiet optimism and a very different-looking squad. After an inconsistent previous season that saw them finish outside the title race early, Diego Simeone started a summer rebuild aimed at injecting fresh quality and balance across the pitch.
The rebuild brought Álex Baena from Villarreal to add guile, Thiago Almada from Botafogo to inject creativity, and Johnny Cardoso to bring defensive security in midfield. Defensive reinforcements came in Matteo Ruggeri, Dávid Hancko, Marc Pubill, and Clément Lenglet, and goalkeeper Juan Musso added depth behind Jan Oblak. The scale of change is notable, representing one of the most active windows of Simeone’s tenure.
In the pre-season run, the signs were encouraging. Julián Álvarez, entering his second year after a 20+ goal debut campaign, linked fluidly with Baena and Almada, giving Atlético a more varied and unpredictable attacking look. Giacomo Raspadori’s imminent arrival from Napoli should further deepen the rotation and provide an alternative to Antoine Griezmann, who remains the team’s on-field leader.
Issues particularly at the back, still remain. Even with Hancko and Ruggeri, defensive depth looks vulnerable, and the failed pursuit of Cristian Romero left Simeone without the elite centre-back signing he had targeted. The return of defender Mouriño was shelved late in the window, leaving the club reliant on newer, less proven options.
The squad turnover has also come at a price in experience. The sales of Rodrigo De Paul, Ángel Correa, Rodrigo Riquelme, and Samuel Lino helped finance the rebuild but stripped away players familiar with Simeone’s demanding structure. Integrating so many new arrivals quickly will be essential if Atlético are to compete from the outset.
Tactically, Simeone’s blueprint still prioritises organisation, pressing triggers, and compact shape, but the new signings hint at an evolution toward more fluid attacking play. With Almada and Baena operating between the lines and Álvarez stretching defences, Atlético may rely less on grinding out results and more on taking the initiative in games.
The objectives are clear: re-establish a foothold in La Liga’s title picture and make a deep Champions League run. If the defence can find stability and the new-look midfield gels, Atlético have the tools to trouble any opponent. But a sluggish start or persistent defensive lapses could leave them fighting just for a top-four place.
Predicted XI for the opener:
Juan Musso; Matteo Ruggeri, Robin Le Normand, Dávid Hancko, Marc Pubill; Johnny Cardoso, Thiago Almada, Álex Baena; Julián Álvarez, Antoine Griezmann, Giuliano Simeone.
Written by Pejuola Ransome
INMR FOOTBALL 
Leave a comment