Atlético Madrid prepares for Champions League campaign

Atlético Madrid enters the 2026/2027 Champions League season with heightened motivation, as the tournament final is scheduled to be held at their home stadium, the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, on June 5, 2027.

Slovak defender Dávid Hancko, who joined the club from Feyenoord in 2025, has expressed confidence in the squad's improved quality under manager Diego Simeone. Hancko noted that the team has focused on addressing previous weaknesses, specifically the tendency to drop points in away matches, which impacted their previous domestic title ambitions.

The squad features several key defensive additions and reinforcements, including Cristian Romero, Marc Pubill, and Alejandro Grimaldo. Hancko emphasized that the increased competition within the defensive unit has served as a motivator for the team to improve their overall performance and defensive reliability.