A first half that shows Atlético's path

Atlético's first-half display against Barcelona showed they can trouble Europe's best, but a collapse after half-time and two consecutive defeats highlight the need for consistency.

Atlético Madrid headed into the international break on a low note, suffering a heavy defeat to Barcelona that followed an earlier loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. However, the Spanish side can take encouragement from their first-half performance at the Metropolitano.

Analysts noted that Atlético dominated Barcelona more effectively than PSG or Real Madrid had this season, particularly in the opening 45 minutes. Manager Diego Simeone acknowledged the quality: "I'm proud of the boys. They played a very good match, we played the way we wanted to for many minutes but we lacked the decisiveness this type of match demands."

The tactical setup proved key: Simeone deployed a 4-4-2 with Kang-in on the wing alongside Julián Álvarez and Giuliano in midfield, while Llorente moved into more interior positions. Koke provided control and Barrios added dynamism, allowing Atlético to progress without relying solely on counterattacks. The intensity of their pressing and their reading of Barcelona's weaknesses kept them in control.

But the second half told a different story. Flick's adjustments worked, and Atlético lost intensity and pressure. Their expected goals dropped from 1.38 in the first half to just 0.15 after the break—their worst second-half performance of the season.