FCBarcelona is preparing to face Real Madrid this Sunday at CampNou, but the team must now count on a major package: French defense JulesKoundé. German coach HansiFlick has confirmed that the 26-year-old will not be available for the Clasico, after a sprained left ankle has kept him sidelined since the start of the week.
Koundé, who has been one of the pillars of Barça's backline since his arrival in 2021, suffered a left ankle injury which required immediate rest. According to journalist AlfredoMartínez from OndaCero, the injury is serious enough to prevent the defender from participating in the preparations and the match against the Merengues. This absence comes at a critical time, as Barca must prepare for a match that could decide the La Liga season and influence the position of the league table.
Faced with this loss, Flick chose to keep the same defensive formation that he used in the last Champions League match against PSG, in 2-4-4. This decision shows that he prefers to rely on the automatisms already worked with his players, even if the defense conceded four goals against the Parisians. The choice of the same defensive line allows Flick to maintain a certain tactical consistency, but he will have to compensate for the absence of Koundé by reorganizing the structure of the backs.
Barça will therefore have to rely on other options to fill the void left by Koundé. The club have several potential replacements, but none have the same international experience or physical presence as the French defender. Flick's decision to stick with the previous lineup suggests he is counting on the versatility of his players and the team's ability to quickly adapt to personnel changes.
As the Clasico approaches, Koundé's absence raises questions about Barça's ability to maintain their defensive level against an already in-form Real Madrid. The match, scheduled for 9 p.m., will be a decisive test for Flick and his team. The result could influence Barça's ambitions for the end of the season, both in La Liga and the Champions League. Fans and analysts are waiting to see how the team will handle this shortcoming and whether Flick's strategy will be enough to counter Real Madrid's offensive strengths.