Flick Benches Kounde for Tardiness in Rayo Vallecano Match

Barcelona’s head coach Hans-Dieter Flick has shed light on why defender Jules Kounde was absent from the starting lineup in the match against Rayo Vallecano (1:0) during the 24th round of La Liga.

According to the German tactician, the French player arrived late for the pre-match briefing. As a consequence, Kounde was excluded from the starting eleven and only entered the game as a substitute in the second half.

“Before a match, I want everyone to be clear about their roles on the field. We have two or three meetings prior to the game. It’s not difficult to arrive early. I intend to discuss this with him, as we have clear rules in place. I made this decision out of respect for his teammates, the club, and the fans,” Flick stated, as quoted by AS.

In the current season, Kounde has participated in 37 matches across all competitions, scoring 3 goals and providing 7 assists.