Tension at Barcelona: Frustration Over Jules Koundé’s Form Grows Despite Teammates’ Support
Despite Barcelona’s narrow 2–1 victory over Girona—secured by Ronald Araújo’s late heroics—unease continues to simmer within the club’s dressing room. Beneath the surface of celebration, murmurs of discontent are growing, fueled by a deepening concern over the form of one of the team’s once-reliable defensive pillars.
Reports emerging from within the camp reveal that tension has been building for weeks, with both players and coaching staff privately discussing what many now describe as a “technical crisis.” While Barcelona’s results have not been disastrous, the performances of certain key players have begun to raise eyebrows—none more so than French defender Jules Koundé, who seems to be enduring one of the toughest periods of his career since arriving at Camp Nou.
Once hailed as an essential part of Barcelona’s defensive success, particularly during their treble-winning campaign last season, Koundé’s recent outings have painted a very different picture. Costly errors, lapses in concentration, and moments of indecision have repeatedly put the team under pressure, most notably in high-stakes matches against Paris Saint-Germain, Sevilla, and Girona, where his mistakes directly led to scoring opportunities for the opposition.
In an effort to lift his spirits, close friends and teammates Pedri and Fermín López have reportedly rallied around the struggling defender. They’ve provided consistent moral and emotional support during training sessions, urging him to rediscover his confidence. However, despite their best efforts, their encouragement has not been enough to reverse the decline. According to internal sources, some squad members now quietly fear that his continued inclusion in the lineup could become a tactical liability as the season progresses.
Head coach Hansi Flick, aware of the growing unrest, has attempted to manage the situation privately. He’s held personal discussions with Koundé, seeking to help him regain focus and composure. Yet with Barcelona facing mounting injury problems and a congested fixture list, Flick finds himself in a difficult position—he cannot easily drop the defender without creating further instability in an already thin defensive line.
All eyes now turn to the looming El Clásico showdown against Real Madrid, a match that could define the trajectory of both Koundé’s season and Barcelona’s defensive future. For the Frenchman, it is more than just another game—it’s a crucial opportunity to silence critics, restore faith among fans, and reclaim his once-unquestioned status as a cornerstone of the Blaugrana backline. Should his struggles continue, however, the club may be forced into making difficult and potentially unpopular decisions about its defensive setup.
