Barcelona defender will miss Inter Milan clash, El Clasico return eyed but could be risky

With Barcelona quickly running out of defenders due to injuries, AS journalist Javi Miguel has provided an update on the potential return of Jules Kounde.

The 23-year-old defender was the first casualty of the international break for Barcelona, as he picked up a thigh injury while playing for France against Austria.

It was suggested that his recovery could take longer than a month. But, much to everyone’s surprise, Kounde was spotted in training last week itself ahead of the game against Mallorca. Ultimately, though, he did miss the matches against Mallorca and Inter Milan.

And now Javi Miguel is reporting that there is no chance of the former Sevilla ace returning to action in time for Barcelona’s next UEFA Champions League clash against Inter next week.

The Catalans lost the clash at the Giuseppe Meazza 1-0 on Tuesday night which has left them staring at the possibility of another group stage exit from the competition.

Having Kounde, especially now that Andreas Christensen is also out injured, would have been a boost for Xavi Hernandez. However, as per the report, a return for the high-profile Champions League tie is not on the table.

As things stand, the Barcelona staff believe that they can have the defender available for the first El Clasico of the season against Real Madrid on October 16.

But, Javi Miguel adds that bringing Kounde back for the encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu could come with a moderate risk of him suffering from an injury relapse.

Kounde arrived at Barcelona this past summer from Sevilla and has quickly become a key part of Xavi’s team, having done well be it as a centre-back or a right-back.

The injuries have left the Blaugrana with just two senior centre-backs in Eric Garcia and Gerard Pique. And the manager will be hoping to have Kounde back at the earliest possible.

It will be interesting to see whether Barcelona decide to risk a potential injury relapse by rushing him back for El Clasico in less than two weeks.