FC Barcelona take on Real Madrid in the biggest fixture of the La Liga calendar this Sunday at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Leading up to the blockbuster encounter, Barça are sweating over the availability of Jules Kounde, who has been sidelined with an ankle issue.
The French defender missed the UEFA Champions League defeat to PSG and was absent from Friday’s team training, leaving Saturday’s session as a crucial test of his fitness.
Kounde giving his all to return
However, Kounde is going to unusual lengths to give himself a chance of featuring for Barcelona against Real Madrid on Sunday, despite serious doubts over his recovery from the left ankle sprain.
The Barcelona defender offered a glimpse of his recovery routine on Snapchat, sharing footage of a nighttime session in an outdoor swimming pool where the water temperature was just 10 °C.
The conditions were hardly inviting, with no sunshine and a cold wind adding to the discomfort.
Kounde accompanied the footage with a humorous account of how the session came about.
“You arrive at the gym with good intentions and suddenly your coach tells you to put on your swimming costume because tonight’s session is in the pool,” he wrote.
“It’s seven in the evening, there’s not a ray of sunshine, it’s windy and the water is at 10 °C. Thirty minutes later, you get out and realise you were better off inside,” he joked.
Pool-based rehabilitation can allow controlled movement with less weight bearing on the joints than some land-based exercises. However, completing the session does not necessarily mean Kounde is ready for the intensity of a competitive match.
Barcelona face defensive selection dilemma before Real Madrid clash
Kounde’s fitness is a significant concern for Hansi Flick, who is already without Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen. Not having another established defender available would further restrict Barcelona’s choices against Real Madrid.
Kounde remains a major doubt to face Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Xavi Espart is a potential option at right-back after an encouraging display against PSG, in which he also found the net.
His performance gives Flick an alternative if Kounde cannot recover in time, although the manager will have to consider the demands of the Clasico when making his decision.
The French international is continuing his recovery, but the window to prepare for Sunday’s match is narrowing. His determination to return is clear; whether his ankle responds quickly enough remains the decisive factor.
Saturday’s training session should provide a better indication of his progress.