FC Barcelona had an excellent 2024/25 season across all fronts. They lifted the domestic treble in Hansi Flick’s first season in charge of the Catalan club and only narrowly missed out on the Champions League final in Munich.
The same cannot be said so far about Barcelona’s 2025/26 season. Flick’s team has struggled to be as consistent as they were last year, and injuries have played a major part in hampering the team’s continuity.
According to [Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20251117/1002570528/barca-espera-mas-balde-kounde.html), two players the club expects more from after underwhelming starts to the new season are the full-back duo, Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde. Both players have suffered injury issues.
Even when fit, there is a feeling that the duo is not playing at the level they are capable of. One of the major reasons Barcelona were so strong last year was the way Balde and Kounde took attacking responsibility on either flank.
Between the two, Balde has had the better season. Although not as consistent as one would hope, the Spaniard still influences games and, with every passing match, there seems to be an improvement in the dynamic between himself and Marcus Rashford.
By contrast, [Jules Kounde has been extremely poor](https://semprebarca.com/barcelona-defender-under-scrutiny-after-series-of-costly-mistakes/). For a player who set such lofty standards last year, the Frenchman has been enduring a slump, and Eric has outperformed him in his limited opportunities at right back.
Once the international break comes to an end, Barcelona will hope that both Balde and Kounde can recapture some of their lost magic. The duo’s form is imperative for the club’s success, and we will have to wait and see how things play out.