Alex Baena Points to Second-Half Intensity Drop in Atletico Defeat
Atletico Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat against Barcelona at the Metropolitano Stadium after failing to maintain their first-half intensity across the full ninety minutes on November 9, 2026. Midfielder Alex Baena stated that his side paid the price for a second-half drop in performance levels that allowed Fermin Lopez to score twice and secure the comeback win for Hansi Flick’s team.
Finishing Deficiencies Prove Costly
Diego Simeone‘s side created numerous opportunities during the opening period but struggled with clinical finishing in front of goal. Baena pointed out that failing to convert those chances proved decisive against an opponent that capitalized on minor shifts in possession and control. The Spanish international argued that the team matched their opponents during the first forty-five minutes before losing their grip on the match after the interval.
Álex Baena
playerThe fixture arrived during a demanding stretch of the domestic calendar, following another recent defeat against elite continental competition. Maintaining peak physical effort across an entire fixture remains a primary objective for the squad moving forward.
We caused them a lot of trouble, but we weren’t clinical in front of goal. We played a very good match. Either side could have come away with the win, and this is a long season, this is the path we need to follow.
When you let Barça have more possession, they take control of the match. We didn’t give that 120% we’d given in the first half, and when you drop to 100%, Barça dominate you.
Reporting based on post-match comments published by AS.
