Barcelona blow as defender limps out of international duty

Spanish giants Barcelona have, on Thursday, been dealt an altogether concerning blow on the personnel front.

This comes after a key member of Xavi Hernandez’s squad was forced to limp out of his latest international outing late this evening.

The player in question? Jules Kounde.

Stopper Kounde, a summer arrival at the Camp Nou, was afforded a start by Didier Deschamps on Friday, as France kicked their Nations League campaign back into gear in a meeting with Austria.

The former Sevilla standout, though, lasted less than 25 minutes, before being forced to limp out of proceedings with what appeared to be a muscular issue.

Arsenal starlet William Saliba, in turn, was introduced in his place.

*Update* - Didier Deschamps has since confirmed that Kounde has suffered a thigh injury, the extent of which is set to be ascertained by means of a medical scan over the coming 24 hours.

Barcelona, and all associated with the club, therefore face an anxious wait, with the recent addition to the Blaugrana’s backline having begun to establish himself as a key contributor to Xavi’s backline of late.

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