Injury update: Key Barcelona defender set to miss Osasuna clash

Barcelona take on CA Osasuna on Tuesday night, in what will be the club’s final league game before the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Heading into the game, the fitness of Jules Kounde has been a subject of discussion within the Barcelona camp. The 23-year-old centre-back had picked up a thigh injury during the club’s narrow 1-0 victory over Valencia, which had cast doubts over his involvement in the Osasuna encounter.

Reports from earlier today suggested that Kounde did not train with the Barcelona team and was in line to miss the upcoming game against Osasuna.

A fresh report from Javi Miguel has now confirmed the fears, with the Spanish journalist claiming that the defender will not travel with the rest of the group for the trip to Pamplona.

The Frenchman was tested earlier today and it appears the results were not entirely satisfactory. As such, the defender has been ruled out for the upcoming game, in what could serve as yet another blow for Barcelona.

Kounde’s likely absence from the Osasuna game comes at a time when Barcelona have had to cope with the retirement of Gerard Pique. The veteran centre-back played his last game for Barça in the weekend’s 2-0 win over Almeria.

With Kounde out of contention, Ronald Araujo ruled out and Andreas Christensen just coming back from an injury, Xavi will face a selection dilemma ahead of the Osasuna clash.

It will not even come as a surprise to see the Barcelona coach being forced to employ Marcos Alonso at centre-back once again, and deploy another makeshift central defensive setup against the Los Rojillos this midweek.

The post Injury update: Key Barcelona defender set to miss Osasuna clash appeared first on Barca Universal.

from Barca Universal https://ift.tt/Xo62iUs
via IFTTT