Barcelona issue statement on Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde injuries after Copa del Rey exit

Barcelona have confirmed that defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde both sustained hamstring injuries during the 3-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Atletico Madrid, leaving head coach Hansi Flick without two key full-backs for the coming weeks.

Kounde lasted only 11 minutes before pulling up and being forced off, while Balde, introduced as a substitute, was later unable to continue after feeling a problem in the same area. Subsequent medical examinations revealed that Kounde suffered a mid-belly hamstring (biceps femoris) injury in his left thigh, with his return date dependent on how the recovery progresses. Balde, meanwhile, was diagnosed with a distal hamstring (biceps femoris) injury in the same leg and is expected to be sidelined for approximately four weeks.

The double setback leaves Barcelona short in the full-back positions for a crucial run of fixtures. The Catalan club are scheduled to face Athletic Club, Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, as well as a Champions League round-of-16 tie against Newcastle, during the period both players are expected to miss.

With Kounde and Balde unavailable, Flick is likely to keep Joao Cancelo in the starting line-up, and Eric Garcia is set to return after serving a suspension for the midweek cup exit.