Koundé almost ruled out for El Clásico: Barcelona faces a defensive puzzle

Jules Koundé looks highly unlikely to feature in Sunday's Clásico against Real Madrid. The French defender is still dealing with a left ankle sprain picked up last Saturday against Betis, an injury that already ruled him out of the European clash with Paris Saint-Germain. The feeling inside the Barcelona camp is far from positive as the decisive league match approaches.

• Koundé has been managing an ankle sprain since the Betis match and his availability for El Clásico is in serious doubt.
• Barcelona see very little chance of a full recovery in time and are preparing for life without the Frenchman.
• The absence comes on top of Eric Garcia's injury, forcing Hansi Flick to rebuild the defence for a crucial game.
• Xavi Espart's solid display against PSG offers a ready-made solution at right-back.
• The final call will be made on Sunday, after assessing the risks of a pain-killing injection.

Koundé's ankle problem: what happened against Betis

The France international managed to finish the game against Betis despite suffering a heavy knock to his left ankle. But the journey back from Seville told a different story: Koundé arrived with a clear limp and immediate alarms went off within the club. Medical checks carried out that same Sunday confirmed a painful sprain, enough to rule him out straight away for the match against PSG. With Eric Garcia also unavailable, Barcelona's defensive line suddenly looked far more fragile ahead of a huge week in their season.

The alternatives Hansi Flick is weighing up for El Clásico

The most reassuring news for Barcelona is the performance of Xavi Espart in Paris. The full-back stepped in on the right side and put in a composed display that kept the defensive structure intact. That showing makes him the most obvious replacement if Koundé misses out against Real Madrid. Flick has also floated the idea of moving Frenkie de Jong into central defence, but that option has lost momentum after the Dutchman was not used at all during the PSG fixture. Another unused appearance on Sunday would almost certainly end that possibility.

Injection or caution: the medical debate around Koundé

Barcelona have not closed the door on using a local anaesthetic to reduce the pain and make the defender available if an emergency arises during the match. However, that route is viewed with caution inside the club: pushing a damaged ankle can worsen the sprain and put the ligaments under extra stress after a serious twist. Koundé is also known to be reluctant to receive injections, which further complicates the decision. The final word will rest with the player, the coaching staff and the medical team, but the current feeling around the squad is one of pessimism about his chances.

What is at stake for Barcelona in Sunday's Clásico

The meeting with Real Madrid arrives in the middle of a tense title race and with Barcelona's morale tied to their European journey. Losing a regular starter like Koundé in such a fixture significantly reduces defensive security on a flank that usually attracts plenty of pressure from opponents. A positive result is key to keeping the club near the top of the table and approaching the final stretch of the season with genuine options. If the Frenchman cannot play, Barcelona's margin for error at the back becomes even smaller.

Koundé and El Clásico: frequently asked questions