Barcelona faced another defensive setback in their Copa del Rey match against Atlético Madrid when Jules Koundé was forced off after just 11 minutes. Alejandro Balde replaced him, weakening the squad’s defensive line.
The team was already missing Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong due to injuries, making Koundé's early exit a significant blow. Details about the nature of Koundé’s injury and the expected recovery timeline are still unclear.
On a positive note, Eric García will be available for the upcoming weekend game after serving a suspension, and João Cancelo may retain his place in the starting lineup. Nevertheless, these injury issues pose a challenge for coach Hans Flick to maintain defensive stability during this crucial period.
With a busy schedule and competitions on multiple fronts, Barcelona's coaching staff will need to find quick solutions to cope with the defensive absences. The team’s ability to adapt and Koundé’s recovery time will be key factors in the coming weeks.
