Koundé accepts Barcelona bench role and vows to work harder

Jules Koundé has taken responsibility for his performances and accepted his current substitute role at Barcelona. Ahead of Monday’s match against Belgium in the fourth round of the Nations League, the defender was asked at a press conference about his limited playing time at his club. He acknowledged that he must work harder to change his situation, with Eric Garcia ahead of him at right-back.

Koundé dismissed the possibility of a physical problem and accepted his share of responsibility. “It’s my coach’s decision. I feel very good physically. I don’t have any injury. If I’m playing less, it’s because last season I was well below my standards,” he said.

The defender described his situation as a challenge he is willing to accept. He says he wants to rediscover his best form and believes he will get playing time when he is at his best. His role has also shifted with the national team: previously a regular under Didier Deschamps for France, Koundé’s position has changed somewhat since Zinedine Zidane took charge of the side.

Speaking about Zidane’s first days in charge, Koundé described a coach who is close to his players and talks with them both on and off the pitch. He also pointed to the team’s desire to control the ball better and acknowledged that he has room to improve in that area. Koundé could return to the starting eleven against Belgium on Monday at 20:45, at the Stade de Saint-Denis in Paris.