Barcelona were hit by another injury blow early on in Tuesday’s Copa del Rey tie against Atletico Madrid as Jules Kounde was forced off after 11 minutes.
The defender went to ground and seemed to know immediately that he couldn’t continue. Hansi Flick sent on Alejandro Balde in his place, while Kounde took his place on the bench and couldn’t hide his disappointment.
Barcelona were already without Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong due to injury for the match and losing Kounde is another setback
for the Catalan giants.
It’s not clear yet what kind of injury Kounde has suffered or how much time he will miss. But it’s a problem Flick could certainly do without at this stage of the season.
Flick will be able to recall Eric Garcia at the weekend, with the 25-year-old unable to play against Atletico due to suspension, while Joao Cancelo may also keep his place in the starting XI going forward.
