Hansi Flick should really start €65m-rated Barcelona player against Atletico Madrid – Opinion | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid almost always gives FC Barcelona a tough time, and the Catalan giants are fully aware of that fact. However, they need to take the necessary precautions in order to nullify their opponents as much as possible in their upcoming UEFA Champions League clash.

Keeping that consideration in mind, it would make sense to ensure that Jules Kounde starts on the right flank in this big Champions League game. After all, the Frenchman has proven himself to be a reliable pick under Hansi Flick’s command.

While Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia are options as well, there are several reasons as to why the €65 million-rated French defender should be the man who starts in that particular position on the right side of the defense. Primarily, it has a lot to do with the absentees for this game.

With Marc Bernal and Frenkie de Jong both unavailable for this game, it becomes clear enough that Eric Garcia will likely have to start in midfield alongside Pedri. That leaves behind only Ronald Araujo and Kounde as the two plausible options at right-back, unless Flick decides to move Joao Cancelo here and play someone else at the left-back position.

Still, Araujo’s presence has not been the best of safety measures at Barça lately, especially not in the UEFA Champions League where he has notoriously committed some blunders in the past. Thus, Kounde’s consistency makes him a more viable option for Barcelona in this game.

Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images

Secondly, as a defensive specialist, Kounde’s profile is complementary to that of Lamine Yamal’s, with the winger having more freedom to exploit his offensive traits with Kounde covering his flank behind him. Moreover, both of them have a good understanding of when to overlap and invert as well.

Kounde has also proven that he can find the back of the net in this competition, having already scored twice in the Champions League this season against Eintracht Frankfurt and having provided an assist against Newcastle United as well. This quality of his could potentially be very important against an opponent that tends to sit back when the going gets tough.

While the final decision lies with Flick himself, it is clear enough that Kounde should be a top contender to start today. Moreover, with Ademola Lookman likely starting on that side of the pitch for Atletico Madrid, perhaps Kounde’s defensive qualities will be even more crucial to nullify the Nigerian winger.