Jules Kounde cleared to start Atletico clash

Jules Kounde has been given the green light to start for Barcelona against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night.

The defender is now fully recovered after more than a month out with an injury suffered in the Copa del Rey semi-final, also against Atletico.

Kounde made his comeback at the weekend in La Liga, coming off the bench for the final half-hour versus Atletico and delivering a solid, composed display on his return. That outing appears to have convinced Hansi Flick and his staff that he is ready to start from the off in Europe.

Spanish outlet AS reports that Kounde is expected to line up at right-back, even though Flick has other options such as Ronald Araujo and Joao Cancelo available. The decision underlines the trust placed in the French international for such a high-stakes contest, with his defensive discipline and experience seen as crucial against a typically intense Atletico side.