Kounde and Balde the Latest Victims as Barcelona’s Injuries Pile Up

Key Takeaways:

• Last night, Barcelona defeated Atlético Madrid 3:0 in the second leg of the King’s Cup but were knocked out of the tournament overall
• Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde sustained muscle injuries and are expected to miss at least one month pending medical examination today
• Koundé has played 3,008 minutes across 40 matches up to yesterday’s fixture, while Balde has featured in 34 matches despite missing nearly the whole of September with a thigh injury

Injury Concerns Deepen for Barcelona

Barcelona’s victory over Atlético Madrid with a 3:0 score in the King’s Cup second leg proved bittersweet after right-back Jules Koundé was forced off early with a muscle injury. His replacement, Alejandro Balde, subsequently departed the pitch in the 71st minute due to a similar issue. While the side claimed an impressive result on the night, it was not enough to progress in the tournament.

Both Koundé and Balde are set to undergo medical assessments today. Preliminary forecasts indicate the period of absence could be at least one month for each player.

🚨 Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will not be back until April, confirmed by Diario AS. pic.twitter.com/ohqgzHFPiI

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 4, 2026

Koundé’s Consistent Season Interrupted

This muscle problem marks Koundé’s first injury this campaign. The French defender had been nearly ever-present, missing only a single La Liga encounter against Celta Vigo. Prior to yesterday’s match versus the Madrid side, Koundé accumulated a total of 3,008 minutes over 40 appearances.

Balde’s Ongoing Fitness Struggles

Alejandro Balde, who returned to action following a near month-long absence in September due to a thigh injury, has so far participated in 34 matches across all competitions. His latest setback adds to Barcelona’s mounting injury concerns as the season progresses.