Barcelona Injury Crisis Deepens As Jules Kounde Suffers Hamstring Setback Against Villarreal

Barcelona’s growing injury list has struck again, casting a shadow over what should have been a routine and confidence-boosting victory.

Despite securing a solid 2–0 win over Villarreal to maintain a four-point lead at the top of the LaLiga table, Hansi Flick’s side left the pitch with fresh concerns after first-choice right-back Jules Kounde was forced off with a hamstring injury.

What Happened To Jules Kounde?

The French international picked up the injury late in the game, lasting until the 79th minute before being replaced by Marc Casado. While Kounde initially tried to shake it off, it quickly became clear something was wrong.

According to Football Espana, early medical assessments suggest the defender could be sidelined for several weeks. If confirmed, the setback would rule him out of the Supercopa de España in January — a major blow for a Barcelona side already stretched thin at the back.

The exact severity of the hamstring injury is yet to be confirmed, with the club expected to release an official update after further medical tests.

Barcelona’s Defensive Depth Now At Breaking Point

Kounde’s injury only compounds Barcelona’s defensive crisis. Earlier in the day, it was reported that Andreas Christensen suffered an ACL injury during training, effectively ruling him out for the foreseeable future.

As things stand, Barcelona are alarmingly short on defensive options:

• Pau Cubarsí – natural centre-back

• Eric García – often used in midfield recently

• Alejandro Balde – natural left-back

• Gerard Martin – left-back, occasionally deployed centrally

That leaves Hansi Flick with just four recognised first-team defenders, only two of whom are natural centre-backs. With a congested fixture list approaching and key trophies on the line, squad management will become a tactical minefield.

Victory With A Cost

While the win over Villarreal keeps Barcelona firmly in control of the title race, the injury to Kounde feels like another warning sign. Flick has already had to rotate creatively this season, and losing one of his most reliable defenders could test Barcelona’s depth — and discipline — even further.

The coming weeks will reveal whether the Blaugrana can hold their defensive line together or if January reinforcements become unavoidable.

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