Atletico Madrid star Alex Baena explains what went wrong against Barcelona: ‘We didn’t give that 120%’

Atletico Madrid midfielder Alex Baena has shed light on his team's 2-1 defeat against Barcelona at the Metropolitano. The Spanish international believes his side's intense performance in the opening half was compromised in the second half, ultimately costing them the match. Barcelona's ability to capitalize on even slight drops in intensity proved to be the decisive factor.

Baena expressed frustration over Atletico's lack of clinical finishing, noting that his team had created numerous opportunities, but failed to capitalize on them. "We caused them a lot of trouble, but we weren’t clinical in front of goal," Baena admitted. Despite creating several promising situations, Atletico's inability to convert their chances into goals proved detrimental.

Baena also highlighted the change in possession and intensity after half-time as a significant reason for Atletico's downfall. He pointed out that allowing Barcelona greater control of the ball made it increasingly difficult for his team to maintain their first-half performance. "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." Despite the loss, Baena remains confident that Atletico can compete with top European sides when they maintain their highest performance levels. He underlined the importance of keeping the intensity at 120% for the full 90 minutes, as that is where the team needs to improve.