Barcelona defender Jules Kounde will miss Sunday’s El Clasico against Real Madrid after failing to recover from a left ankle injury, coach Hansi Flick confirmed on Saturday, one day before the highly anticipated La Liga clash.
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“Jules will not be available on Sunday. We do not want to take any risks with him,” Flick said at a press conference.
The France international suffered a left ankle sprain during Barcelona’s 5-2 victory over Real Betis last week and has not recovered sufficiently to return in time for the clash.
Barcelona, the reigning Spanish champions and current league leaders who remain unbeaten in La Liga, will also be without several other key players against Real Madrid due to injuries.
Eric Garcia is sidelined with a thigh injury, Dani Olmo is dealing with an injury to his left adductor muscle, while Danish defender Andreas Christensen is out with a tear to the left rectus femoris muscle.
Flick was also asked about Barcelona’s first defeat of the season, a 4-2 loss to French champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The German coach said he had analyzed the match and drawn defensive lessons from it.
“We did many things well, but we also saw situations where we need to improve. We have to develop as a team. Tomorrow, we face one of the best teams in the world, and it will be another opportunity to do that.”
