Jules Kounde: FC Barcelona’s injury woes continue as French defensive stalwart forced off due to injury, doubtful for Clasico
La Liga champions FC Barcelona seems to have another inclusion in the infirmary when their French wall Joules Kounde was forced off the field in their last fixture against Granada. With Kounde, Barca’s injury woes set to have hit a wall, with almost every star player on the sidelines.
Jules Kounde- the latest addition to injury squad
FC Barcelona has been one of the consistent teams in this season, They remain among one of the undefeated teams in Europe, and has enjoyed a fair success within the first two months of this season. But, along with their victories and success over both, domestic and European pursuit, they have been injury ravaged over last couple of months. It all started with the injury of midfield maestro Pedri, as the star is nursing an injury, and fortunately, is getting closer to a complete recovery. Then, it was Frenkie De Jong and Ronald Araujo, as Xavi had to ponder upon his option, in absence of the senior players. The missing out of top stars like Robert Lewandowski (who was replaced in the game against Porto) has prompted Xavi to start with youngsters like Lamine and Fermin, as the 16-year old La Masia prodigy had delivered in the past weekend by becoming the youngest goal scorer in La Liga, when he hit the back of the net in their away fixture against Granada.
A regular starter
Kounde has been one of the regular starters for Xavi this season. In Araujo’s absence, Kounde was spearheading the defense along with Danish stopper Christensen, as the famous Kounde-Christensen duo has been instrumental in Barca’s defensive sector. In their game against Granada, this enterprising combo had started off, with Cancelo and La Masia wonderkid Balde completing the back four. However, the French was seen hobbling off the ground minutes before half-time as teammate Gavi has knocked him over, thus landing on him.
The Frenchman was seen pounding the turf in frustration before limping off the ground, in what seemed to be an unfortunate night for the star. After the game, tests on him has depicted that he has a left MCL sprain and will be on the sidelines for an extended period of time.
Barcelona was seen trailing at Granada with 0-2, as Bryan Zaragoza’s brace had seemed to take a toll on Xavi, but thanks to brilliant goals from classy youngster Lamine and midfield veteran Sergi Roberto had restored the parity, as the defending champions were able to snatch a point in the crunch away game before international break.
With Kounde’s addition to the infirmary, Barcelona’s injury woes seem to have extended a bit as it contains several stars like Lewandowski, Frenkie, Pedri and Raphinha. These stars might not be able to return in time for Clasico, as they would be on the sidelines and Barcelona would be playing La Liga leaders Real Madrid with a depleted squad. Kounde has also withdrawn from the French national squad which is slated to face Netherlands in an EURO qualifier and Scotland in a friendly, and is replaced by Axel Disasi.
