Barcelona star limps off with injury vs Atlético Madrid

Barcelona’s bid to overturn a daunting Copa del Rey semi-final deficit took an early hit as defender Jules Koundé was forced off inside the opening ten minutes of Tuesday’s second-leg clash with Atlético Madrid. The France international pulled up abruptly with what appeared to be a muscular problem and limped down the tunnel at Spotify Camp Nou, leaving Hansi Flick’s side to finish the contest without one of their most reliable back-line anchors.

The incident compounded an already tense evening for the Blaugrana, who entered the return leg trailing 4-0 after a bruising first-leg defeat at the Metropolitano. Marc Bernal and Raphinha had struck to give the hosts a 2-0 lead on the night, yet the aggregate margin remained 4-2 with Koundé’s departure adding to the hosts’ growing list of concerns.

Barcelona now await medical updates on Koundé’s condition ahead of a potential spell on the sidelines, while the team battles to keep their cup hopes alive against Diego Simeone’s visitors.