Argentina international Alvarez, who wanted to sign for Barcelona, is not involved yet as he finds fitness following a post-World Cup break along with several others, Diego Simeone sent out an Atletico side peppered with youngsters. Kang-In Lee and Alex Baena’s superb strikes helped Atletico Madrid kick off their La Liga campaign with a 2-0 win over Malaga on Wednesday, without forward Julian Alvarez. However, substitutes Lee and Baena ensured the Rojiblancos, who last won La Liga in 2021, got off to winning ways with second half goals from outside the box.
Promoted opponents Malaga, who were relegated from La Liga in 2018 and dropped to Spain’s third tier before fighting their way back up, kept things tight in the first half.
“They were two great goals, and that’s how we were able to win a game that wasn’t that easy,” Simeone told Movistar.
Lee and Baena Shine as Hosts Secure Victory
In the 70th minute, Korea international Lee, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, scored a stunning goal by cutting in from the right and curling a shot into the far post. Just five minutes before the final whistle, Spanish World Cup winner Baena extended the lead with a remarkable free-kick that hit the crossbar before finding the net. After the match, Lee expressed his joy, stating, “I’m really happy to have scored my first goal at the Metropolitano.”
