Jules Kounde a major doubt for Barcelona’s El Clasico against Real Madrid

Jules Kounde is highly unlikely to be fit for Barcelona’s La Liga meeting with Real Madrid on Sunday, leaving manager Hansi Flick with another defensive concern before El Clasico.

Barcelona confirmed on Wednesday that Dani Olmo will miss the match after suffering an injury expected to keep him out for about four weeks. The uncertainty over Kounde has added to the problems facing Flick as he prepares for the game following Wednesday’s 4-2 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain.

Kounde, 27, suffered a severe sprain to his left ankle during Saturday’s match against Real Betis. Although he completed that game, he returned the following day with a pronounced limp. Medical tests on Sunday confirmed the painful sprain, and the injury ruled him out of Barcelona’s match against Paris St-Germain.

His availability for Sunday remains uncertain, according to Mundo Deportivo. Flick did not rule out the possibility of Kounde playing when he spoke at the news conference before the Paris St-Germain fixture.

However, the Barcelona coaching staff remain very pessimistic about the defender’s chances of featuring against Real Madrid. The pain in the affected area is still causing him to limp noticeably, making a full recovery in time for the match appear unlikely.

Barcelona’s immediate objective is to have Kounde available as a possible substitute in case of an emergency. He could then be used only as a last resort during the game.

A temporary injection to reduce the pain would technically allow him to play, but there is a risk that doing so could worsen the injury. The final decision will be taken by Kounde, Flick and Barcelona’s medical team.

One factor contributing to the doubts is the French defender’s reluctance to receive anaesthetic injections. For now, the expectation within the club is that he will not be able to start, or possibly play any part, in the Clasico.

Xavi Espart’s performances had offered Barcelona some encouragement, with the defender’s form potentially reducing the impact of Kounde’s absence. But Espart was substituted during Wednesday’s defeat after feeling discomfort in his ankle, further complicating Flick’s choices.

Flick also identified Frenkie de Jong as another option for strengthening the defence. Despite that, De Jong was not used against Paris St-Germain, either in defence or midfield, which appears to have reduced the likelihood of him featuring in the Clasico.

Barcelona must therefore prepare for the possibility of facing Real Madrid without Olmo and Kounde, while the condition of both Kounde and Espart remains central to Flick’s final selection.