Atlético de Madrid has fallen far from the title race in LaLiga and is now fighting to hold on to third place. With only 13 points out of 30 possible in the second half of the season, their performance has been disappointing, reflecting a mix of factors like the absence of Antoine Griezmann, fatigue from many consecutive matches, defensive errors, and other key issues.

13 out of 30 points in the second half

After finishing the first half as winter champions on January 12, with a win against Osasuna and eight consecutive victories, Atlético has struggled in the second part of the campaign. Out of their first 19 matches, they lost just 13 points, but in the second half, they’ve dropped 17 points in ten matches, with only three wins: 2-0 against Mallorca, 1-0 against Athletic, and 0-3 against Valencia.

Managed by Diego Simeone, the team would be in 12th place if only the second half of LaLiga counted. Jan Oblak, the goalkeeper and second captain, admitted they don’t understand the reason for this drop: "It’s a strange time, difficult. We don’t have the consistency to fight for LaLiga."

Six wins in 14 away matches

Atlético has struggled to win away from home. With just six victories in 14 away matches, their performance on the road has been insufficient to stay in the title fight. In the second half, their inconsistency away from home has been more pronounced, with only one win (0-3 against Valencia) and draws against Espanyol and Real Madrid. Losses to Leganés and Getafe were pivotal in losing ground in the title race.

Individual errors and Defensive collapse

Individual mistakes have been repeated in recent weeks. In the draw against Espanyol, a clear penalty by Clement Lenglet and errors in previous matches, like the missed penalty by Griezmann against Leganés, have cost crucial points.

After a strong defensive start, Atlético has lost their solidity in recent weeks. With Robin Le Normand missing, the defense has shown vulnerabilities, conceding 10 goals in 10 matches and a series of individual errors. In their last three matches, they’ve conceded seven goals, weakening their defensive structure.

Griezmann's drop in form

Antoine Griezmann, who had been pivotal for Atlético, has seen a drop in his level. With only one goal in his last 11 matches, Griezmann has lost his decisive touch. His poor form has been especially noticeable in the more important LaLiga matches.

Dependency on Julián Alvarez

Atlético has become more and more dependent on Julián Alvarez, who has been their top scorer. With 23 goals throughout the season, Alvarez has been crucial for the few wins Atlético has managed in the second half. However, his absence in some matches has left the team lacking the necessary momentum to win.