According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona defender Kounde has been ruled out of Sunday's home La Liga match against Deportivo Alavés because of injury. Flick will continue to face a severe shortage of defenders.
Barcelona held their final training session before the Deportivo Alavés game at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on Friday. Kounde was again absent from training and has been left out of the squad list.
The French defender has been unable to train with the team all week and will not be fit in time to face the Basque side. His absence adds to those of the also injured Eric Garcia, Christensen and Xavi Espart. Olmo and Roony Bardghji are on the injury list as well.
Given the defensive problems, Flick has again called up players from Barça Atlètic. 19-year-old right-back Guillem Víctor and 18-year-old right-footed center-back Álex Campos both trained with the first team once more, and both are expected to be included in the match squad. Campos was previously called up for the matches against PSG and Real Madrid.
Ebrima Tuncara also trained with the team again. The 16-year-old midfielder, who can play as a central or attacking midfielder, continues to train with the first team and is being evaluated by Flick. The session included a small-sided game with gradually increasing intensity. The media were allowed to watch only the first 15 minutes of the session and then left the training ground.
After losing 1-2 away to Real Madrid last Sunday, Barcelona urgently need a response in this match against Deportivo Alavés. Flick must find solutions for a defense hit particularly hard by injuries.