Two Knights Defense is difficult opening... 8. Ba4 bad?

Managed to get a "winning position" around move 21, but lost the advantage in the end.

I didn't go for 28... Bxg2, as I didn't see 29. ... Qe1!! after the recapture 29. Qxg2.

By the way, is 8. Ba4 a bad move for white? According to Stockfish it is -0.9. It seems quite bad compared to the other moves like Qf3 or Be2 or Bd3. However I don't know what is the key idea to punish it.

8 Ba4 has a bad reputation. Instead of 10...Be7 11 Ne5 o-o you could have played the more active 10...Be6 11 Ne5 Qd4 and white is in trouble.