Barcelona are heading into Sunday’s El Clasico against Real Madrid on the back of multiple injury-related absentees.
Over the past week, the club have had to deal with injuries to Dani Olmo, Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde.
While Garcia and Olmo have both been sidelined for at least a month, there was some hope that Kounde could make it in time for the Clasico as the knock he faced against Real Betis wasn’t so serious.
Kounde ruled out vs Real Madrid
However, according to AS, Kounde has been practically ruled out for the Clasico on Sunday evening, in yet another major blow for the Blaugrana.
Kounde will miss the Real Madrid game. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
The Frenchman was not seen training with his fellow teammates at Ciutat Esportiva today and it appears he won’t be able to return to full fitness.
Kounde was already facing a race against time to be fit for the Real Madrid clash but despite seven day cooling period, the defender has been unable to make it in time.
Kounde’s absence leaves Hansi Flick with limited options in defence. Fortunately for the German tactician, Xavi Espart is fit and available after an injury scare during midweek’s defeat to PSG, where he had picked up a knock.
Espart is likely to be partnered by Joao Cancelo, Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin in the Barcelona backline.
When will Kounde return?
Hansi Flick will hope to have Kounde available for the Alaves clash. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Since Kounde is no longer an option for Barcelona against Real Madrid this weekend, the defender has already shifted his focus to getting fit before the club’s next match.
Fortunately for Barça, they don’t have to play another Champions League game in midweek, giving Kounde additional time to recover.
The French international will be looking to utilise that time to get back to full fitness, just in time for Barcelona’s next game against Alaves on October 31.
That is currently the objective for the former Sevilla right-back, who will be looking to utilise injuries to Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia to once again reclaim his place in the starting eleven.