Barcelona are facing late concerns that one of their key defenders may not be fit for El Clasico on Sunday, as they travel to face top of the table Real Madrid. Jules Kounde has now missed their last two training sessions due to a muscular problem.
On Thursday, alarm bells rang in Can Barca due to the absence of both Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen due to illness. The Danish defender was missing his third day in a row of training due to the same issue. However Sport say that de Jong at least is training as of Friday, and has recovered from his issue – there is no update on Christensen.
Jules Kounde misses second consecutive training session
The perhaps more concerning case for Barcelona is Kounde at this point. His absence from training did not make headlines on Thursday, but the Frenchman missed the session with muscle discomfort, and on Friday was absent again for Barcelona. It leaves just one final training session for Kounde to prove he is fit for the big match on Friday.
Positive news for Robert Lewandowski
On the other hand, there is optimism over Robert Lewandowski’s recovery. The Polish veteran will miss the Clasico with his hamstring injury, and the Catalan daily note that his injury is progressing ahead of schedule, and it is believed he could return next weekend against Elche.
Robert Lewandowski is recovering well and is working to be fit for the game against Elche on November 2nd. @Sportowy_Kanal
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) October 23, 2025
Alternatives to Kounde
The most logical alternative to Kounde would appear to be Eric Garcia, who played there against Real Madrid in May, and has impressed at right-back. He has been part of the starting duo in central defence alongside Pau Cubarsi though, and whether he plays centrally or wider, Ronald Araujo looks likely to come into the side one way or another if Kounde does not make it. Hansi Flick could reshuffle using Gerard Martin, Marc Casado or Christensen too, but all three look like surprise choices currently.
