Atlético Madrid kicked-off their short pre-season with an uninspiring 1-0 loss against FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão.

Before the match, tributes were paid to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who tragically lost their lives in a car accident last month. A video was played on the big screens as applause rang throughout the stadium and players from both teams stood together in the center circle.

Jota played for Atleti and Porto, and in the 20th minute the stadium applauded once again recognising his shirt number.

Atleti and Porto legends Rafael Falcao and Paolo Futre were present for the honorary kick-off. They were joined by other former players of both sides, including Diego Ribas and Felipe Monteiro.

Apart from Julián Alvarez’s almost-wonder goal in the 42nd minute, the away side never looked like threatening. The match was ultimately decided by a goal on the stroke of half-time from Victor Froholdt, but the home side’s dominance gave their fans little to worry about and a lot to be excited about.

Atlético play their second and final confirmed match of pre-season next week against Newcastle at St James’ Park, although matches against Rayo Vallecano and Numancia have been speculated as well.

Los Rojiblancos begin their La Liga season on the 17th of August, away to RCD Espanyol.

Without getting too cynical too quickly, here are Into the Calderón’s key takeaways from this match.

First look at the new boys

Well, they were sharp, dynamic, linked up well and gave the fans a lot to be excited about.

And now, onto the Atleti signings!

In truth, the new boys were probably the best players on the pitch from a Colchonero point of view. But the likes of Borja Sainz and Gabri Veiga, signed this summer in blue, outshone the boys in red and white with some outstanding actions in the first period.

Matteo Ruggeri and Álex Baena were the only new signings who featured in the first 45 minutes, the latter displaying some promising moments. Playing in what looked like an inside left midfield role, Baena showed flashes of his passing range and intricate touch — and he had Atleti’s only shot on target after linking up with Ruggeri.

Talking of the Italian left-back, fingers could be pointed towards him for the defensive calamity that led to the Porto goal, with questions over his ability at the back looming. For someone who loves to bomb forward, I’m not sure the team utilised this threat enough; most of the action in the first half went down the other flank.

After the break, an entirely new XI appeared, which included the rest of the transfer window’s fruits. Dávid Hancko, Thiago Almada, Johnny Cardoso and Marc Pubill were all given a run out in an Atleti shirt for the first time, and all impressed.

In particular, I enjoyed the energy and craftiness of Almada, who seems the perfect Ángel Correa replacement with (dare I say) a little more about him. He popped up in all parts of the pitch, dribbling out of trouble from the back and progressing play up the pitch nicely.

Options at the back

Having played 100 of his 124 career games to date as a right-back, it’s clear that Diego Simeone is converting Pubill to a more central role. Using his 1.90m stature, the Spaniard could become an important option at the back, given the possibility of a return to a back three.

Nahuel Molina also played for parts of this match in a back three alongside Pubill and Hancko, after Clément Lenglet and Robin Le Normand featured in the first half. Ruggeri has experience in the “zaga” position, and José María Giménez rounds out the full CB list — a total of seven potentials.

️ Nahuel Molina, Pubill y Hancko formaron como defensa de tres con Carlos Martín y Galán de carrileros.➡️ Por momentos, Pubill y Hancko en defensa de 4➡️ Nahuel muy errático en el pase

➡️ Los fichajes dejaron mejores sensaciones pic.twitter.com/vsvu85OheN

— Atlético Stats (@atletico_stats_) August 3, 2025

We know that Simeone likes variation and the ability to use his players in a number of positions, and a set back four or five would be favourable if injuries allow. But please, please, please may Lenglet not be one of them.

Rodrigo De Who?

There was something refreshing about not having to watch Rodrigo De Paul frustrate the life out of everyone watching with his immense talents and general can’t-be-assedness. Looking at the midfield that El Cholo has available to him, the team seems well covered in this position, amid reports emerging earlier in the day that no further player would be signed.

This could give someone like Conor Gallagher a more prominent feature in the team, aside from his poor showing today. Cardoso and Pablo Barrios are expected to start in central roles, with Baena, Almada and Marcos Llorente, along with Gallagher, available as interiors.

There’s a midfield that one could describe as “packed”. Not forgetting captain Koke, of course.

El Principe should be questioned

Yes, it’s pre-season. Yes, he’s getting old. Yes, he was asked to lead the line by himself, which he hasn’t really ever done.

But come on Antoine mate, that was a performance fit for (sorry guys) the MLS.

Should he run down his contract, we’ll have two more years of Antoine Griezmann, but in all honesty, I’m not sure where he fits or what role he really has in the team. His buddy De Paul has gone, and he is firmly down the pecking order behind Alvarez and Alexander Sørloth, so what really is there left for him to do?

Of course, from a trophy point of view, there’s still a lot for him to do in red and white stripes, which could be why he wants to stay at least for this season. Maybe a few contributions in early Copa de Rey rounds on artificial pitches in the middle of Castilla y Leon, or a late appearance to round off a 4-0 win at home to Elche, might be enough to earn him some plaudits should Atleti win anything.

I really hope that I’ve got it all wrong though, and that he’s going to be the best version of himself in the minutes he has so that the Griezmann-Atleti story gets the happy ending it so deserves.