The –Atlé2015–16 season was Atlético Madrid's 85th season in existence and the club's 79th season in La Liga, the top league of Spanish football. Atlético competed in La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League. The season for the club began on 25 July 2015 and ended on 28 May 2016.
Kits
Supplier: Nike / First Sponsor: Plus500
Season overview
June
On 19 June, it was announced that Mario Mandžukić would sign for Juventus. On 22 June, the signing of Mandžukić for a fee of €19 million was officially confirmed. On 22 June, it was confirmed that Atlético were close to agreeing a deal to sign Luciano Vietto from Villarreal. It was also confirmed that Léo Baptistão would be loaned to Villarreal. On 23 June, the agent of Jackson Martínez confirmed that Atlético had agreed a €35 million deal with Porto. A few days later, Martínez confirmed that he was set to join Atlético. On 24 June, Atlético officially presented its new home kit for the 2015–16 season. On 30 June, Internazionale confirmed Miranda's move.
July
On 1 July, Atlético announced the departure of centre back Miranda to Italian Serie A club Internazionale. On 6 July, Arda Turan departed, signing for Liga rivals Barcelona for €34 million. On 7 July, Atlético official signed of Luciano Vietto from Villarreal. On 8 July, Atlético completed the transfer of centre back Toby Alderweireld to Tottenham Hotspur. On the same day, Atlético presented its away kit for the 2015–16 season. On 10 July, the club confirmed the signing of winger Yannick Carrasco from French club Monaco. On 14 July, the schedule for the 2015–16 La Liga season was released. On 20 July, Atlético reached an agreement with Fiorentina for the transfer of Montenegrin international centre back Stefan Savić. Two days later, both clubs officially confirmed that Mario Suárez has joined Fiorentina. Atlético also confirmed the signing of Bernard Mensah from Portuguese side Vitória de Guimarães; he was immediately loaned to Getafe for the entirety of the 2015–16 season. On 25 July, Atlético played its first friendly game of the pre-season, prevailing 2–0 over Numancia in the Jésus Gil Trophy; Lucas Hernandez and Ángel Correa both scored. On 28 July, Atlético confirmed the return of left back Filipe Luís after one year spent in the English Premier League with Chelsea. On the same day, Atlético played its second friendly game of the pre-season and won 2–0 against Real Oviedo, with goals Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres. On 29 July, Atlético, with 22 players, prepared to play two friendlies in Japan and China for the LFP World Challenge tour.
August
1 August marked the first match of the tour, in Japan, where Atlético defeated Sagan Tosu 4–1 in penalties, the club's third win of the pre-season. Its second, and last match, in Asia was played on 4 August in China, with Atlético defeating Shanghai SIPG 0–3 through an Antoine Griezmann goal and a double from Fernando Torres. After the tour, on 8 August, Atlético played three matches, the first two of which were 45-minute morning matches against Guadalajara (0–0) and Leganés, which handed Atlético its first pre-season defeat. In the day's third match, played in the evening, Atlético defeated Real Sociedad 2–0 through a goal by Markel Bergara and a strike by Griezmann. On 13 August, Atlético confirmed that Mexican striker Raúl Jiménez officially signed with Portuguese club Benfica. On 14 and 15 August, Atlético played its last two friendly matches of the pre-season, contending in the Ramón de Carranza Trophy. In the semi-finals, the club defeated Cádiz on penalties (2–4), advancing to the finals. Atlético then dispatched Real Betis with three goals from José Giménez, Jackson Martínez and Ángel Correa, thereby claiming the side's tenth Carranza Trophy. Atlético finished its pre-season with a record of 7–1–1, scoring 13 goals and conceding two.
In its first league match, on 22 August, Atlético beat Las Palmas 1–0 with goal from Griezmann. On 27 August, Atlético were drawn into Group C of the Champions League alongside Portuguese champions Benfica, Turkish champions Galatasaray and Kazakh champions Astana. The next day, the club reached an agreement with River Plate for the purchase of Matías Kranevitter. He was officially announced three days later, but he will join the club after playing 2015 FIFA Club World Cup.
Atlético won its second-straight Liga match after defeating Sevilla at the Sánchez Pizjuán 3–0, with goals from Koke, Gabi and Jackson Martínez. On 31 August, the last day of the summer transfer window, after a transfer request, Raúl García signed a four-year contract with Athletic Bilbao.