Atletico Madrid's Champions League List A: Obed Vargas and Arnau Solà earn Simeone's trust

Atletico Madrid begin a new Champions League campaign on Wednesday in a setting that brings back recent memories. Anfield hosts the Spanish side once again after last season's 3-2 defeat in a match surrounded by controversy. With the European opener just around the corner, the club has already submitted List A, the official squad registered for the continental competition.

• Obed Vargas is included in List A despite missing recent LaLiga matchday squads.
• Arnau Solà is secured in the main list because he cannot be registered on List B.
• Arnau Ortiz is ruled out of the Anfield trip due to a suspension carried over from his Slask Wroclaw spell.
• List B is expected to feature Esquivel along with Domínguez and Castillo.

Obed Vargas, the biggest surprise in Atletico's European squad

The presence of Mexican midfielder Obed Vargas stands out immediately. The player has not featured in recent league squads and his future appeared to point toward a loan move to continue gaining experience. However, his inclusion in List A opens the door for Simeone to give him opportunities in the Champions League if he ultimately stays at the club.

Registrating Vargas serves a dual purpose: it protects the player ahead of a possible January move while offering him a European platform. Should he remain in the squad, the Argentine coach will have another rotation option in a competition that demands depth.

Arnau Solà locked in for the left-back role

Arnau Solà's name also appears on List A, and there is a clear reason behind it. The defender from Amposta arrived this summer to strengthen the reserve team, but Julio Díaz's departure opened the door for him to take part in the first team's preseason. His performances during that period left a positive impression on the coaching staff.

As a newcomer to the academy, Solà cannot be registered on List B. That forced the club to decide between leaving him out of European action entirely or reserving him a spot on the main list. Simeone has chosen to keep him close, aware that the left-back can be a useful resource throughout the continental campaign.

Arnau Ortiz suspended and unavailable at Anfield

Among the registered players, Arnau Ortiz stands out for a different reason: he will not be available for the opening match. The academy product is serving a suspension carried over from his previous European appearances with Polish side Slask Wroclaw. He is confirmed as a first-team player for all purposes, just like Dani Martínez.

The suspension forces Simeone to adjust his attacking options for the trip to England. Ortiz will miss a fixture in which Atletico want to start strongly and avoid repeating last season's outcome at the same stadium.

How Atletico's Champions League List A is structured

The registered squad is balanced between experience and youth across every line. Oblak and Musso are the goalkeepers, while Esquivel will join List B alongside Dani Rubio, the usual mechanism for homegrown players.

In defence, the list includes Hancko, Pubill, Romero, Grimaldo, Le Normand, Dani Martínez and Arnau Solà. The midfield is made up of Obed Vargas, Mendoza, Cardoso, Koke, Kang-in, Barrios, Llorente and Hjulmand. Up front, the attacking options are Sorloth, Lookman, Jonathan David, Arnau Ortiz, Julián Álvarez and Giuliano.

List B set to include Simeone's regular academy options

The club is expected to announce List B in the coming hours. Alongside Esquivel, the list is likely to feature players who have been regulars in Simeone's first-team training sessions, such as Domínguez and Castillo.

That additional group will allow Simeone to complete a broader squad for what promises to be a demanding group stage. The opener at Anfield will be the first test of whether this season's European campaign delivers better results than the last one.