Counter attack does not leave your defense wide open. Counter attack is not full out attack. Counter attack is quickly distributing the ball towards the opponent's end in the quickest possible way. Mostly counter attacks are executed with long balls towards your highest attackers after dispossessing the opponent in your half while they are attacking which leaves your opponents wide open not you. However counter attack risks losing possession higher because everything is played at top speed, high rewards and low chances. Real madrid plays counter attack. Barcelona is a type of team that does not play counter attack because they prefer moving the ball upfield with slow build up play to maintain possession.