Barcelona to take a cautious approach with key centre-back after recent injury – report

Jules Kounde made his much-awaited comeback from injury during the weekend clash with Real Madrid.

The defender, who had picked up a knock during the international break, operated as a centre-back alongside Eric Garcia. They were tasked with the responsibility of preventing Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior from causing menace inside the Barça box.

Although things did not exactly go according to the plan, Barcelona are happy to have Kounde back to full fitness.

A recent report from Diario SPORT has offered an update on the club’s plan to utilise the Frenchman in the near future, suggesting that the Blaugrana have no intention to push the defender to his limits.

Having only recently come back from an injury, Barcelona do not want to risk a relapse. As such, they are planning to rest the defender in one of the two matches the club are set to play this week.

Following the defeat to Real Madrid, Barcelona’s next match will see them play hosts to Villarreal later this evening. Kounde is likely to feature in that game, in the absence of a reliable option at right-back or even at centre-back, for that matter.

Barcelona’s other game will see them take on Athletic Club on Sunday. Kounde is likely to be rested for that encounter, especially knowing the fact that the club will lock horns with Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League next midweek.

Unfortunately for Xavi Hernandez, the Barcelona coach cannot possibly give Kounde too much breathing space, due to an apparent injury crisis in the defensive unit.

Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo are two of the club’s premier centre-backs sidelined due to injury, while new signing Hector Bellerin has only recently recovered from an injury issue of his own.

The situation will force Xavi to utilise Kounde to the fullest extent, though in the short-term, giving the Frenchman a rest appears to be the best option.