Full-back says the champions “lacked intensity” and gave the opponents too much freedom
Goalscorer Jules Kounde has criticised Barcelona’s performance in the closing stages of their 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad.
The French defender scored the equaliser at Montjuic before Robert Lewandowski’s header completed the comeback to send Barcelona top of La Liga. But speaking after the match, Kounde admitted he was dissatisfied with how the team finished the game.
“I didn’t like our last 25 minutes,” Kounde said. “We struggled too much and didn’t control the ball. For 70 minutes we played well and could have scored more, but at the end we lacked intensity and allowed them too much space inside. We made it harder for ourselves.”
Real Sociedad came close to punishing Barcelona’s drop in tempo, with Takefusa Kubo hitting the bar late on, before Lewandowski himself struck the underside of the crossbar at the other end.
However, Kounde also highlighted improvements in Barcelona’s game.
“I think we’ve been doing well offensively and defensively from set pieces for quite some time,” said the defender. “This year, with the addition of [Marcus] Rashford and Roony [Bardghji], we’ve added two good takers.”
The Frenchman also welcomed the return of Ballon d’Or runner-up Lamine Yamal, who set up the winner just seconds after coming off the bench following a four-match absence.
Kounde said: “I’m very happy for Lamine’s return because we’re going to need him.”
