Jules Kounde reacts after Unionistas 1-3 Barcelona: “We need to have more intensity”

Barcelona came back from a goal down to defeat third-division side Unionistas de Salamanca 1-3 in the Copa del Rey to book a place in the quarter-finals.

Things began on an ominous note for Barcelona, who were coming into the game on the back of the Spanish Super Cup humiliation. Alvaro Gomez put the hosts in front at the half-hour mark at Estadio Municipal Reina Sofia.

However, Barça were able to equalise before half-time thanks to Ferran Torres. Close to the 70th-minute mark, the reigning La Liga champions took the lead thanks to Jules Kounde’s fine strike.

Alejandro Balde added a third not long after to kill off the tie and secure Barcelona’s progression in the competition.

One of the goalscorers, Kounde, spoke to the media after the match and said: “It was very important because the cup is clearly an objective. After an important defeat, we had to react. I think we played a good game, we were serious and rigorous and we got the job done.”

On the challenge that Unionistas posed on the night, the Frenchman remarked: “It was difficult, it’s a ground where Villarreal have been eliminated.

“It was a special game for them because of what they started and they started with a lot of desire. They are a team that plays very well if you give them time.”

The former Sevilla defender went on to claim that even though Barcelona conceded in the first half, they did not play all that bad, saying:

“I don’t think we played a bad half, but it was a shame because we conceded the goal. The good thing was the reaction. We have to communicate better and close the lines more.”

When asked about Xavi’s situation, Kounde insisted that the entire blame for the team underperfoming must not fall only on the manager, as he said:

“Sure, in the end, you can talk about the coach but we are the ones who play, so when there are bad results they are our fault of course. We had to react, this game was important and we need to have more intensity. I think that’s what we’re lacking this year and we need to be more decisive.”

Finally, the centre-back signed off saying that winning the Copa del Rey is a serious objective for Barcelona, along with La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

“The Cup is an objective, just like La Liga and the Champions League,” he remarked.

Source: Mundo Deportivo