Barcelona staff will continue to back star defender despite admitting decline in form

Barcelona’s coaching staff have acknowledged that Jules Koundé’s performances this season have fallen short of the standards he set during the previous campaign, yet the Frenchman retains their full confidence and will remain first-choice at right-back ahead of on-loan João Cancelo.

Despite the club’s near-flawless run since last year’s defeat to Chelsea, defensive lapses have persisted, particularly in European fixtures where clean sheets have proved elusive. Koundé, once heralded as one of the squad’s standout players, has been identified as a key figure in those struggles, with his diminished defensive solidity drawing internal criticism.

According to SPORT, no single error has defined Koundé’s downturn; rather, a general drop in consistency has undermined his influence. Coaches have noted lapses in positioning and timing that have cost the team, but they attribute the slump to a temporary dip rather than a structural decline.

The 25-year-old’s rapport with head coach Hansi Flick has played a decisive role in his continued selection. Staff believe the relationship fosters the kind of trust and tactical understanding required for a swift resurgence. With Barcelona still competing on four fronts, the club view a reinvigorated Koundé as integral to sustaining momentum through the decisive stretch of the season.

João Cancelo, acquired on a season-long loan, will still feature prominently, offering an alternative either as a right-back inverted into midfield or on the left flank. His versatility and experience provide Flick with valuable tactical flexibility, yet the hierarchy at right-back currently remains in Koundé’s favour.

The coming weeks are viewed inside the dressing room as a pivotal window for Koundé to recapture his best form. Coaching staff have outlined specific areas—one-versus-one defending, aerial duels, and communication with the centre-backs—as focal points in video sessions and on the training ground. If improvements materialise, Barcelona believe their defensive record can tighten in time for the season’s decisive knockout ties.

For now, the message from the club is unequivocal: Koundé remains the starter, the staff’s patience endures, and the hope is that the defender’s quality will re-emerge when it matters most.