Barcelona and Atlético Madrid delivered one of the most thrilling matches of the season, and even in recent years. It’s rare to see a game this tightly contested, with constant lead changes, ultimately ending in a 4-4 draw—a true goal fest. However, both coaches were left frustrated, particularly with their defensive lines, given how easily they allowed their opponents to break through.
According to El Nacional, Hansi Flick was pleased with his team’s resilience and ability to come back from a two-goal deficit. However, he was frustrated by their inability to maintain the lead, especially conceding another late goal—just as they had in their previous La Liga encounter with Atlético. One of the key players involved in these defensive lapses was Alejandro Balde.
While Balde’s athleticism makes him a dangerous attacking threat, his defensive positioning has been a weak point. Opponents frequently exploited spaces on his flank, making him a liability at the back. Similarly, Jules Koundé struggled in this match, despite his otherwise stellar season. One of the goals resulted from his unforced error, which led to problems caused by Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez.
The lack of reliable alternatives meant both Balde and Koundé had to play the full 90 minutes, as Flick might have preferred to replace them if better options were available.
Midfielder Pedri, who was one of the standout performers, acknowledged the defensive issues. When asked about it, he urged the duo to be “smarter with and without the ball” and avoid unnecessary risks. He also suggested a tactical adjustment, stating, “Maybe we should defend a little deeper.”
