In numbers: One worrying trend behind Barcelona’s recent struggles | OneFootball

Barcelona’s heavy defeat against Atletico Madrid did not come out of nowhere. In many ways, it felt like the natural result of a pattern that has been building for weeks. 

The team had already shown signs of vulnerability in the opening stages of matches, but they had often managed to escape thanks to strong second-half reactions. 

Against Atletico Madrid, however, there was no way back after the damage done in the first 45 minutes.

Worrying numbers

As such, the numbers from 2026 paint a worrying picture. 

Barcelona have already played 12 matches across four competitions, and out of those games, they have gone into halftime with a lead only three times.

Those positive first halves came against Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final, where they were already 4-0 up by the break, against Mallorca in La Liga, and in the Copa del Rey tie against Albacete. 

In each of those cases, Barcelona controlled the match early and finished strongly.

There were six matches where the team went into the break with the score tied, including the derby against Espanyol, the Super Cup final against Real Madrid, and league trips to Elche and Oviedo. 

Barcelona need to be defensively solid. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

In those situations, Barcelona usually found a way to improve after halftime and secure the result.

The defeats

The real problem appears when Barcelona fall behind before the break. That has happened three times in 2026, and only once did they manage to turn the game around. 

The comeback came in the Champions League against Copenhagen, where they recovered from a 0-1 deficit to win 4-1 and secure qualification for the round of 16.

Against Real Sociedad, though, they conceded early, equalised, but lost control again almost immediately and ended up empty-handed.

The most dramatic example came at the Metropolitano. Four goals conceded in a chaotic first half left the tie almost out of reach. 

Barcelona improved after the break, but the damage was already done, and the 0-0 second half simply confirmed a painful defeat.

Understandably, the team cannot keep relying on second-half reactions. If Barcelona want to compete for major trophies, they must start matches with greater focus, intensity, and discipline. 

Otherwise, nights like the one at the Metropolitano could become a recurring problem.