Forward reacted angrily to being substituted against Eintracht Frankurt; Kounde: I tried to attack the space in behind
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has said he understood why 18-year-old forward Lamine Yamal looked annoyed after being substituted late in Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Yamal was withdrawn in the 89th minute, replaced by Roony Bardghji. The teenager left the pitch with a stern expression and showed frustration even after reaching the bench.
“We changed Lamine with a few minutes to go because he was booked and it was late,” Flick said. “If he was a bit annoyed, then I fully understand and I like it. I was a player too. It’s fully acceptable, not a problem.”
Barcelona trailed after Frankfurt’s first-half strike, but defender Jules Kounde turned the match on its head with a quick double early in the second half. The second goal came from a Yamal cross in the 53rd minute.
Reflecting on Kounde’s display, Flick said: “It’s great to have Jules scoring. His talent and his mentality are so important.”
Kounde said he noticed the space behind Frankfurt’s defence and tried to exploit it.
“My first job is to defend well so I have to keep a balance,” said Kounde. “And there are games when we play against a back five, today Frankfurt were very deep, so you have to attack the spaces in behind, which is what I tried to do. I had success with those two goals.”
