Atlético Madrid hosts Málaga in its return to the top flight after seven years

Seven years later, Málaga is back in the top flight of Spanish soccer. And it's happening at none other than the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, against an Atlético Madrid side eager to start the season on the right foot. The match takes place on Wednesday, August 19, in Matchday 1 of LaLiga, and figures to be an afternoon loaded with symbolism for the Andalusian club.

Here's how the kickoff time breaks down for South America: 4:00 p.m. in Argentina and Uruguay, 3:00 p.m. in Chile, and 2:00 p.m. in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. Anyone looking to catch it live can do so through Disney+'s Premium Plan, though only in the South American region.

What's at stake

Atlético arrives with high expectations after a season that, while trophyless, left a good impression: Champions League semifinals, a Copa del Rey final, and a fourth place finish in LaLiga. Diego Simeone knows there's still room for improvement, and this opening matchday is a chance to show the team took last year's lessons to heart.

On the other side, the story is different but no less significant. Málaga hadn't played in the top division since May 19, 2018, when it closed out its stint with a match against Getafe. Seven years of second division soccer later, the team coached by Juan Funes returns to the elite with the same excitement of a club that knows every match at this level is a different kind of test.

Names to watch

Atlético saw some roster shuffling in the transfer market: Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada departed, and Julián Álvarez's future remains uncertain. But the Argentine contingent still carries weight, with Juan Musso between the posts, Giuliano Simeone working the flanks, and the recent arrival of Cuti Romero to bolster the defense. Add to that the talent of Alex Baena and the experience of Marcos Llorente, two pieces Simeone needs firing on all cylinders to compete at the top.

For Málaga, the offensive threat runs through Chupete and Adrián Niño, the team's top scorers during its promotion campaign. Keep an eye too on David Larrubia and Joaquín Muñoz, midfielders who provide balance in the center of the park.

Current form

The Madrid side wrapped up preseason with a 2-1 win over Olympique de Marseille, with goals from Carlos Martín and Rodrigo Mendoza (Igor Paixão pulled one back for the French side). Málaga, meanwhile, drew 2-2 with England's Fulham, with goals from Eneko Jauregi and Chupete, while Alex Iwobi and Ryan Sessegnon scored for the English club.

The most recent meeting between the two sides dates back to February 10, 2018, when Atlético won 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Antoine Griezmann in the 1st minute. The two clubs haven't crossed paths since, so this Wednesday brings together two storylines heading in very different directions: one looking to cement its place at the top, and another dreaming again in the top flight.