Jules Kounde gives one-word response to controversial winner in Barcelona’s defeat to Girona

Barcelona, Spain – Jules Kounde needed only a single syllable to sum up his feelings after the video that decided Monday night’s derby: “Claro.”

The France defender was still limping as he left the mixed zone, having been flattened by Claudio Echeverri’s stamp on the top of his right boot in the move that led to Fran Beltran’s 88th-minute winner for Girona. Replays showed Echeverri treading on Kounde’s foot; no whistle came, and VAR declined to intervene.

Asked whether the challenge should have been punished, Kounde offered the curt Spanish affirmative and kept walking.

Girona coach Michel defended the decision-making chain moments later. “I think it’s a counter-attack. It can be called. If the referee doesn’t call it, VAR is right not to intervene. That’s my feeling,” he said. “I think these kinds of tackles are straying from the essence of football. If the referee sees a tackle, fine, but for VAR to intervene would be a mistake.”

The goal capped a frustrating evening for Barcelona, who, by Kounde’s own admission, “played a bad game” and let a dominant first half slip away. The defeat leaves Hansi Flick’s squad reflecting on two dropped points that felt like three, while Kounde nurses both a bruised foot and the taunts of team-mates who ribbed him for the manner of the injury.

Barcelona had summoned 21 players for the Monday encounter; none, in the end, could prevent the late twist that keeps the contentious officiating debate alive.