Problems suffered by Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde against Atletico Madrid makes it three hamstring injuries in one week, including Frenkie de Jong
Hansi Flick is not happy about Barcelona’s persistent injury problems and will demand answers from the club’s medical staff.
Barcelona have struggled with injuries this season, particularly the hamstring, and there were two more cases on Tuesday after defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde were both forced in the Copa del Rey semifinal against Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona won the second leg 3-0 at Camp Nou but were eliminated 4-3 on aggregate. However, an encouraging performance that saw them almost pull off an incredible comeback was overshadowed by the fitness setbacks suffered by the two full-backs at such a crucial stage of the season.
The club confirmed on Wednesday that Balde will be sidelined for around a month, while people close to the dressing room said Kounde will be out until at least after the March international break.
❗️𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲
First-team player Alejandro Balde has suffered a distal hamstring (biceps femoris) injury in his left thigh.Examinations indicate that the recovery process will take approximately 4 weeks. pic.twitter.com/bBgPEtU9X0
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 4, 2026
The injuries mean both players will miss Barcelona’s upcoming Champions League last-16 tie with Newcastle. Other players including Pedri, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and Frenkie de Jong have all suffered hamstring issues this term.
Read More: Why do Barcelona suffer so many hamstring injuries?
“We have two more injuries, I am not happy,” Flick said after the game against Atletico. “With Frenkie, that makes three in one week, all the same type of injury. This cannot happen.”
Frenkie de Jong has already been ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring problem sustained in training last Thursday, only a few days after fellow midfielder Pedri returned from his second hamstring issue of the season.
With Balde and Kounde now out, Barcelona’s defensive options are stretched. Only Joao Cancelo and Gerard Martin are available as natural full-backs, meaning that Flick may need to turn to the likes of Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo when necessary.
