Barcelona star holds himself accountable for Celta draw – ‘I did not play a good game’ | OneFootball

Jules Kounde had a night to forget against Celta Vigo, where his performance became a focal point in Barcelona’s 2-2 draw.

While the team struggled collectively, the French defender’s costly mistake stood out as a pivotal moment in the match. Barcelona, already reduced to 10 men following Marc Casado’s dismissal, saw their slim lead vanish in an instant.

Kounde’s crucial error in the 84th minute opened the door for Celta to stage a late comeback, leaving the Catalan side frustrated and searching for answers.

The Frenchman found himself under scrutiny after this outing. His lapse in concentration during key moments of the match proved decisive.

“We were not involved during the game, which was what was required. I am the first to say that I did not play a good game,” admitted the defender.

For Celta’s first goal, Kounde was caught out of position, failing to maintain the defensive solidity expected from a player of his calibre.

This error not only gifted Celta a chance to equalise but also destabilised Barcelona’s defensive structure in the closing minutes.

“I lacked concentration and in the end, you pay dearly for it with a gross error that you cannot allow. I accept this error which puts us in a difficult situation,” he said.

Kounde’s admission

Jules Kounde made a costly error against Celta Vigo. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Kounde’s performance wasn’t limited to this single mistake; it reflected a broader struggle throughout the match.

On another critical play leading up to the goal, the defender hesitated, expecting the referee to call offside, instead of continuing his defensive duties.

“In the end, I saw it clearly and I stopped, but that reflects a bit of what I said. I lacked concentration because even if I saw clearly that the ball had gone out, I had to continue.”

This lack of focus proved costly, demonstrating the importance of playing to the whistle regardless of perceived circumstances.

“Today I was not involved, I accept that, but you can’t give up either. We tied the game partly because of me,” he said.

Learning curve

Jules Kounde admitted his errors. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Despite the disappointment, Kounde showed accountability for his performance. Recognising his role in the team’s struggles, he acknowledged the need to learn from these experiences.

Barcelona’s recent matches have exposed vulnerabilities, with the team failing to deliver their usual high standards. However, setbacks like these can serve as an opportunity for growth.

“It’s a learning experience for everyone, maybe it’s been a bit easy for us. We haven’t played well in the last two games, but this is part of the season. Now is when we’ll see if we’re a team or not,” he concluded.

Source: Mundo Deportivo