Key Barcelona defender set to miss the games against Inter Milan and Real Madrid due to injury | OneFootball

The final stretch of this season will be demanding, and FC Barcelona are fully aware of it. After all, the Catalan giants have already fought through this entire campaign through pure grit and determination. Now, however, Barcelona must muster up the strength for one final push.

A long and demanding campaign, it has seen the Catalan giants suffer through various injuries and deal with various consequences. Still, Hansi Flick’s side have managed to pull through so far and are still looking to compete for a historic treble in these last few games.

Unfortunately, however, there is some bad news in terms of a new injury that Barcelona will have to deal with. For almost the entirety of this season, French defender Jules Kounde was a guarantee for Hansi Flick as the team’s right-back. Now, however, the German coach will have to look at alternative options.

Jules Kounde to now miss some crucial fixtures

No matter who played or left the pitch, the Frenchman was consistent and always available no matter what, and him getting even a little rest seemed to be surprising to many. Against Inter Milan in Barça’s most recent game, however, Kounde had to be taken off during the first half.

Jules Kounde in action during Barcelona vs Inter Milan. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

As per a recent report, moreover, he is now ruled out for the coming weeks. According to AS and Javi Miguel, the Barcelona defender has suffered a distal tear in the biceps femoris of his left leg as per the club’s statement, and this injury will now keep him sidelined for around three weeks.

Barcelona do have certain alternative options

That would mean that the player is almost guaranteed to miss the upcoming clash against Inter Milan at the San Siro, as well as the El Clasico against Real Madrid at the Montjuic Stadium. Both games are crucial for the Champions League and La Liga respectively, and Kounde’s absence will be a massive blow.

Reportedly, however, Barcelona and Hansi Flick already do have a player in mind to replace him. That player would be none other than Eric Garcia, but the option of using the likes of Ronald Araujo or even Hector Fort in that position is still there for Flick to assess in the coming days.