Atletico Madrid’s missed chances against Barcelona put Julian Alvarez and Diego Simeone under pressure

Atletico Madrid’s 3-1 defeat by Barcelona has intensified scrutiny of Julian Alvarez and Diego Simeone after the home side failed to exploit a vulnerable opponent in a match they had been expected to win.

The result was more than a second successive home defeat for Atletico. It exposed questions about the team’s ability to take decisive opportunities, particularly when the match demanded a leading player to deliver.

Former Atletico forward Kiko Narvaez and Spanish broadcaster Manu Carreno reached a similar conclusion during an appearance on El Larguero on Cadena SER. They felt Atletico had been the stronger side and Barcelona looked fragile, but the visitors ultimately prevailed because they corrected their mistakes while their opponents could not produce a decisive hero.

‘We could have exploited Barcelona’

Narvaez described the defeat as a serious setback and criticised Atletico’s performance after half-time, as well as Simeone’s substitutions.

“The conclusion is that today we were capable of taking advantage of Barcelona’s weaknesses,” he said. “I saw a completely different level from the team on Tuesday against Bayern Munich compared with our level. I was not happy with Simeone’s changes or with the second half.”

He added that the result was especially frustrating because Atletico had been given an ideal opportunity to turn the game in their favour but lacked the courage and correct decision-making at important moments.

Carreno also expressed concern about Barcelona’s defensive display against a major opponent.

“I saw Barcelona looking extremely fragile defensively against the big teams once again,” he said. “The result would have been completely different if Atletico Madrid had taken their chances.”

However, he praised Barcelona manager Hans Flick, arguing that the German had strengthened his position by responding effectively to the problems exposed before the interval.

“Flick comes out of this match stronger because he managed to correct the mistakes that appeared in the first half,” Carreno said.

Alvarez expected to make the difference

Alvarez was at the centre of much of the criticism. The Argentina striker arrived in Madrid with expectations that he would become Atletico’s leading star, but he has now faced his strongest criticism since joining the club.

Carreno said Alvarez had yet to justify a valuation of 100 or 150 million and still regarded him as a good striker rather than an elite one.

“Atletico need a forward capable of deciding matches,” he said. “Julian has to take another step forward. He is not a player who makes the difference.”

Carreno added that Alvarez should have produced his best performance against Barcelona and was still missing “that extra quality” he had not yet found.

He also referred to Simeone’s public backing of the striker: “As Simeone said, ‘Without Julian, we will not achieve our goals’. That is his way of showing support, but at the same time it puts pressure on him.”

Narvaez agreed that Alvarez had to accept greater responsibility, saying: “He missed two clear-cut chances.”

He argued that the team’s main star should be judged by performances in matches that shape the season, rather than against weaker opposition. Despite the criticism, Narvaez urged Atletico supporters not to jeer Alvarez, saying Simeone still trusted him and excessive pressure could prove counterproductive.

The analysis also questioned Simeone’s recruitment and management of major matches, with the Argentine coach unable to find a combination capable of providing a decisive edge.

The La Liga listings for 22 November 2026 include Barcelona, Villarreal, Getafe and Atletico Madrid.