MX23RW : Wednesday, November 9 01:55:24| >> :120:5809:5809:
[monks data]
Oct 29, 2022 at 8pm UK at Estadio de Mestalla
Valencia
0 - 1
Barcelona

Lino (67'), Guillamon (84'), Castillejo (90+7'), Foulquier (90+7')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Lewandowski (90+3')
Garcia (21'), Alonso (45'), Gavi (89'), Pique (90+2'), Torres (90+8')

Jules Kounde plays down injury fears after Valencia clash

Jules Kounde plays down injury fears after Valencia clash
© Reuters
Barcelona centre-back Jules Kounde says that he was suffering with muscular fatigue against Valencia on Saturday.

Barcelona centre-back Jules Kounde has put his substitution against Valencia on Saturday evening down to muscular fatigue rather than anything more serious.

The Frenchman was replaced in the 74th minute of the contest at Mestalla, which was decided by a last-gasp winner from Robert Lewandowski, with the result moving Xavi's side to the top of La Liga.

There were fears that Kounde had suffered another injury when he was replaced by Gerard Pique, with the 23-year-old only just returning from a hamstring issue.

However, the summer arrival from Sevilla has said that he was suffering with "overload".

"I think it's just an overload, nothing serious. They (the organisers) should think a little more about the players. There are a lot of matches. We are sliding down a crazy path, wanting to play so many matches. But those at the top are obviously not worried," L'Equipe quotes Kounde as saying.

Barcelona's Jules Kounde in action with Viktoria Plzen's Jan Sykora in the Champions League on September 7, 2022© Reuters

Meanwhile, when asked about Kounde after the match, Xavi said that the defender "has strong discomfort" but did not suffer a potentially long-term problem.

"Kounde has strong discomfort, but it doesn't look like an injury," the head coach told reporters.

The centre-back has made 10 appearances for Barcelona this season, contributing three assists, and he has been involved in his side's last four league games after recovering from injury.

Kounde will now be bidding to be fit for his side's next game against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League, while the Catalan outfit will also take on Almeria and Osasuna before the break for the World Cup.

Eric Garcia also had to be substituted in the first half of the clash with Valencia, with Barcelona later confirming that the centre-back had suffered a groin problem during the contest.

Barcelona manager Xavi pictured in September 2022© Reuters

Ronald Araujo, Memphis Depay, Andreas Christensen and Sergi Roberto are already on the sidelines for the Catalan side through injury.

"It was not an excellent match by any means. We played with a bit of anxiety today. I think we were affected by Wednesday. With the bad dynamic we've been having this season, when Lewandowski scored, my first thought was: 'They'll disallow it'," Xavi told reporters after the win over Valencia.

"We were better than Valencia and we deserved that winner. We are very happy with three points. The team deserved it. It gives us confidence and morale.

"I think that in the 11 months I have been here, the team has improved a lot. We have to play much better, and take better decisions. When you don't win, everybody's alarm goes off. This is Barcelona."

Barcelona have now won 10, drawn one and lost one of his 12 league games this season to collect 31 points, scoring 29 goals in the process and conceding just four.

ID:498244:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5644:No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Gerard Pique

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

How you voted: Valencia vs Barcelona

Valencia
11.0%
Draw
10.5%
Barcelona
78.5%
181
Game History
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Ronald Araujo pictured in September 2022
Read Next:
Barcelona missing four players for Valencia clash
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
EFL Cup
Scottish Premiership
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Eredivisie
Taca de Portugal
League One
National League
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Ukrainian Premier League
2.Bundesliga
Brasileiro
Chinese Super League
International Friendlies
International Friendlies
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona1412113352837
2Real Madrid13102131131832
3Athletic Bilbao1473424141024
4Atletico MadridAtletico137332113824
5Real BetisBetis13733179824
6Osasuna147251614223
7Real Sociedad137241716123
8Rayo Vallecano136342016421
9Villarreal135351410418
10Real ValladolidValladolid145271321-817
11Valencia134451915416
12Mallorca134451213-116
13GironaGirona144462022-216
14Getafe133551219-714
15Almeria134181522-713
16Espanyol132651621-512
17Sevilla132561220-811
18Celta Vigo133281426-1211
19CadizCadiz13256824-1611
20ElcheElche1404101031-214

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Match previews - Daily
Transfer Talk Daily
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!