Football club Barcelona is holding its final preparations for the upcoming clash against Real Madrid, facing serious squad difficulties in the defensive line. The participation of French defender Jules Kounde, who continues to recover from an injury, remains highly questionable. The match between the fierce rivals will take place at Camp Nou on Sunday, October 25, at 22:00 Kyiv time.
Nature of the French Defender's Injury
During the final training session before the meeting with the Madrid club, Jules Kounde worked on an individual program separately from the main group of players. The reason for this regimen was a left ankle ligament strain previously sustained by the player. The head coach of the Catalan team, Hansi Flick, noted that the key defender's participation in the game remains a big question, and the Frenchman may well not make the matchday squad.
Reserves Call-Up and Team Squad Situation
Due to large-scale squad problems and injuries to four other regular players, Barcelona's coaching staff was forced to bring talented youngsters into the training process. Working alongside the first team were central defender Alex Campos, 17-year-old Israeli attacking midfielder Orian Goren, and forward Hamza Abdelkarim. Young players received a chance to prove themselves amidst the deficit of performers in the defensive line.
Context of the Fierce Confrontation
The upcoming El Clasico holds vital tournament and psychological significance for both teams in the Spanish La Liga. However, squad losses significantly limit Hansi Flick's tactical options when choosing the optimal lineup for the game. It was previously reported that Kounde's potential opponent on the left flank of Real Madrid will also miss the meeting due to disciplinary punishment.
Significance of the Match and Catalan Prospects
The absence of key defenders forces the Catalan giant's coaching staff to make non-standard personnel decisions under conditions of the highest responsibility. The issue of integrating club academy graduates into such an important match could be a decisive factor for the rest of the season. Management and fans expect that squad depth and competent tactical preparation will allow Barcelona to adequately resist their arch-rival.
