After sustaining an injury during Barcelona’s 3-3 draw with Inter Milan in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal on Wednesday, Jules Koundé has been ruled out of the return fixture. The French defender expressed his disappointment in a heartfelt message on social media.
A key figure for Barça this season, Koundé once again delivered a solid performance on Wednesday night. Starting in the first leg at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, the center-back played a vital role in helping the team secure a dramatic draw against the Italian giants.
But the night ended prematurely for the 26-year-old, who was forced off in the first half due to injury, making way for Eric Garcia. Medical tests have since confirmed that Koundé suffered a thigh muscle strain.
He is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks, which rules him out of two critical fixtures: the second leg against Inter Milan next Tuesday, and El Clásico against Real Madrid on May 11.
Clearly frustrated, Koundé took to Instagram to share his feelings:
“I’m so disappointed to be injured at this stage of the season, when everything is on the line… but sometimes, things are just out of your control. I have full confidence in this team, no matter who’s out there on the pitch. Thank you all for the support, it means a lot.”