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Kounde out: Barcelona defender injured during International break

By Uriel Araujo Sanchez

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 22: Jules Kounde #5 of Team France reacts after his injury the UEFA Nations League League A Group 1 match between France and Austria at on September 22, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 22: Jules Kounde #5 of Team France reacts after his injury the UEFA Nations League League A Group 1 match between France and Austria at on September 22, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images) /
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After just 23 minutes of play, 23-year-old Barcelona defender Jules Kounde was forced off France´s UEFA Nations League game against Austria with an apparent muscle injury in the hamstring area.

FC Barcelona had nothing to complain about prior to this week´s International break. No injuries and an entire squad available for Xavi before a tough run of important fixtures coming up in the month of October. FC Bayern and Real Madrid are right around the corner, and Los Blaugranas have been cursed with a significant injury to one of their most reliable centre-backs, Jules Kounde.

Barca´s leading defensive man could only play 23 minutes before going down with a muscle injury that forced Didier Deschamps to substitute the defender straight away.

The Frenchman has been vital to Xavi´s defence since he was finally registered in La Liga in the final stages of the summer transfer window; Barca was missing an elite ball-playing defender, and Kounde has been able to provide everything Xavi wanted from a starting centre-back. In addition, his ability to play in different defensive positions has given the defence more depth and versatility, which has been evident on the pitch, with Los Cules only conceding three goals in their last eight matches.

However, with an important month ahead of The Catalan Giants, Jules Kounde will most likely be ruled out for most games in October, which could include a crucial home game against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and El Clasico against Real Madrid.

Jules Kounde´s injury joins Memphis Depay´s hamstring issues also suffered in Netherlands´ Nations League match against Poland and Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowksi. On the other hand, Frenkie De Jong and Ousmane Dembele will remain with their respective national teams despite ongoing muscle fatigue.

International break ends on the 27th of September, and Xavi will sure hope no other player suffers any significant injuries.

Los Blaugranas will return next weekend to take on RCD Mallorca away from the Spotify Camp Nou.

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