Mohamed Aboutrika criticised Barcelona’s defensive display during the first half of their La Liga meeting with Atletico de Madrid, describing the visitors as fortunate to reach half-time level after a difficult opening 45 minutes at the Metropolitano on 22 November 2026.
Atletico took the lead after 10 minutes through Giuliano Simeone, but Fermin Lopez equalised for Barcelona in the 45th minute to make it 1-1 at the break.
Speaking as a beIN Sports analyst, former Egypt and Al Ahly forward Aboutrika said Atletico were finding it far too easy to threaten Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
“Barcelona’s defence is all over the place,” he said.
Aboutrika then joked about how exposed Barcelona had looked, adding: “Atletico Madrid are reaching Joan Garcia’s goal so easily. If the three of us” – referring to his fellow studio analysts – “went on to the pitch, we would be able to get to Barcelona’s goal.”
He said Atletico had created several opportunities in the opening period but had failed to make the most of them. Barcelona, by contrast, had drawn level with one of their few opportunities when Fermin Lopez scored just before the interval.
In Aboutrika’s assessment, the equaliser was a fortunate outcome for Barcelona, who had struggled to cope with Atletico’s attacking pressure on home territory.
He also suggested Fermin Lopez’s goal could prove important after the break by giving Barcelona renewed momentum and helping them recover their composure in the match.
“Barcelona were lucky to be level at half-time,” Aboutrika said, while noting that the goal might provide the Catalan side with the lift required to improve after the restart.
The former Al Ahly player concluded that Barcelona had offered little in attack beyond the movement of Lamine Yamal. He said there had been no convincing attacking performance from the visitors and that Yamal was the only player to make a clear impression in the final third.
While Atletico had repeatedly exposed weaknesses in Barcelona’s defence and created the better chances, Barcelona’s overall display left Aboutrika unimpressed at both ends of the pitch. Their one moment of efficiency, however, ensured the teams went into the interval level.
