I actually had asked him while on the ground in Barcelona why he had made that attempt when everyone else had diverted. He didn't answer me (probably thought me a fool ) . I suppose he wanted to avoid just such a situation. A much longer workday, stranded at Barcelona without ground service. He felt the danger at Madrid to be manageable , at least for one attempt.
Conditions change rapidly. I always said that it does not hurt to "take a look" as long as you always leave an escape and alternate plan. Staying within regs of course.