Barcelona confirm injury to key defender Kounde after Inter thriller | OneFootball

Barcelona have confirmed that defender Joules Kounde suffered a distal hamstring injury during the 3-3 draw against Inter in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night, which is likely to rule him out of the reverse fixture in San Siro on Tuesday.

Barcelona confirm injury to ever-present Kounde

Kounde was forced off in the 42nd minute of the thrilling 3-3 draw between Barcelona and Inter in Montjuic on Wednesday night and was replaced by Eric Garcia for the remainder of the match.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 30: Jules Kounde of FC Barcelona is challenged by Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 30, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Barca have since confirmed in an official statement that Kounde has suffered a distal hamstring injury in his left leg, but the club have not specified when he is expected to return to action.

“Tests carried out on first team player Jules Kounde this morning have shown he has a distal hamstring injury in his left leg. His evolution will determine when he returns to first team activities,” Barcelona’s statement read.

“Hero in the Seville final, Kounde had to leave the pitch on Montjuïc after 42 minutes of the thrilling FC Barcelona v Internazionale match. It was his 53rd appearance this season. He has tirelessly raided down the right for Hansi Flick’s team this season, with the coach only leaving him out for one game this season, the recent win against Mallorca.”

No potential Kounde return date disclosed, but Inter ‘practically impossible’

Spanish outlet Marca suggests that it is ‘practically impossible’ for the France international to return to fitness in time for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night. That is also the case for Inter striker Lautaro Martinez, who was forced off at half-time with a thigh injury on Wednesday night.

Kounde has been a mainstay in Hansi Flick’s treble-chasing Barcelona side this season. He has started in every single one of Barca’s Champions League matches this season, only being subbed off twice before half-time, including on Wednesday night.

He has also featured in all but one of Barcelona’s LaLiga matches this season, only being afforded a rest for the recent 1-0 win over Mallorca, a few days before the Copa Del Rey final against Real Madrid.