Koundé Expresses Discontent with Demanding 70-Match Calendar Ahead of Monaco Showdown

Koundé Expresses Discontent with Demanding 70-Match Calendar Ahead of Monaco Showdown

2024-09-18 19:15:00

The defender and French international (36 caps) answered questions about AS Monaco, the Catalan club’s first opponent, this Thursday evening for the first day of the Champions League (9 p.m.). He also railed against the infernal pace imposed on the players and the accumulation of matches. He followed in Rodri’s footsteps. The Manchester City midfielder called for a strike at the beginning of the week.

Jules, how do you explain Barça’s good start to the season, leading La Liga with five wins in five games?
I think the team gets along well with the coach (Hansi Flick, appointed this summer). He has brought a new dynamic. He is very close to us, he pays attention to many details. The attackers press well, we recover balls near the opposing goal and this gives confidence to the group. This allows us to score goals. The coach demands intensity at all times. We hear this message very well and we respect his instructions on the field. The team is going through a good period. I feel good in the group and with the game advocated by the coach.

What is the objective in the Champions League this season?

When you play in this club, the goal is to win the competitions you play in, to be at the best level. Last year, we were eliminated in the quarter-finals and we hope for more this season.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has called on players to strike due to the infernal pace and the number of games that increases each season. Do you agree?

I agree with everything he said, the schedule is always more packed. We’ve been saying it for three or four years, but we don’t listen to the protagonists, us, the players. There will come a time when we will have to strike. We have to tell the truth, it’s the only way to make our voice heard. Playing the Club World Cup (a new competition launched next summer by FIFA) means more matches. 70 matches per season is madness. We lack a union to make our voice heard.

What do you think about the new Champions League format?

It’s hard for me to say. I can’t say if it’s better or not. I think nothing can be perfect because this format assumes that we’re going to play more games.

“We expect a difficult match, against a team that presses and plays with intensity.”

What is your view of Monaco?

We are prepared but we expect a difficult match, against a team that presses and plays with intensity. I still follow Ligue 1, I still have a lot of attraction for this championship (he was trained in Bordeaux). I know a lot of players there. Monaco started very well with three wins and a draw. We played them in the Gamper Trophy (in a friendly on August 12, 3-0 defeat). This team has a lot of attacking talent, it is young and physically strong. It will have more confidence but so will we. Time has passed and we arrive full of confidence.

Do you consider yourself the best right-back in the world in 2024?

What interests me is to give the best version of myself. I am a central defender but I like the challenge and to improve. That’s my point of view since I was little, no matter where I play, I try to contribute to the team.

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– What did Jules Kounde say about ‍player welfare in modern football?

Title: “FC Barcelona Defender Jules Kounde Speaks Out⁤ on Champions League, Monaco Match,‍ and Player​ Welfare”

Meta ‍Description: Get the latest insights from FC Barcelona ⁣defender Jules Kounde on the Champions League, AS Monaco match,‌ and the intense schedule of modern football, echoing Manchester ⁣City’s Rodri’s⁤ call for​ a⁢ strike.

Header Tags:

H1: Jules Kounde ⁣Shares Thoughts on AS Monaco, Champions League, and Player ‍Welfare

H2: A Good ⁢Start to the Season with Hansi Flick at the Helm

H2: Ambitions in‌ the⁢ Champions League this ‌Season

H2: “We⁢ Need to Tell ‌the Truth” – Kounde Agrees ‍with Rodri on Player Welfare

H2: Thoughts on⁢ the New Champions League Format

⁢ H2: ‍Previewing the Monaco Match – Expecting a Difficult Encounter

Article:

FC Barcelona defender Jules Kounde recently sat down to share his thoughts‍ on the team’s impressive start to the season, the upcoming‌ Champions League​ match against AS Monaco, and the⁣ growing ‌concerns about player welfare. The French international, who has 36 caps ‌to his ‍name, provided valuable insights into the team’s dynamics ⁣under new coach ‍Hansi ⁤Flick and the challenges⁣ posed by the packed ‌schedule of modern⁣ football.

A ‌Good Start to the Season with⁣ Hansi Flick at the‌ Helm

When ‌asked about ⁣Barcelona’s perfect start to the season, with five wins in five games, Kounde attributed it to the new dynamics⁣ brought in by coach Hansi Flick. “The team gets along well with ​the coach. He has brought a⁣ new dynamic. He ⁣is very close to us, he ⁢pays attention⁤ to⁤ many ​details. The ⁤attackers press well, we⁢ recover balls near the opposing ‌goal, and this gives confidence to the group,” Kounde ​explained. The defender also praised Flick’s emphasis on intensity,⁤ saying,⁤ “The coach demands intensity at all times.​ We ⁢hear this message very well and we⁢ respect his‌ instructions on the field.”

Ambitions‍ in​ the Champions League this Season

Looking ahead to the Champions League, Kounde stated that the ‍objective is to win the competition, as ⁢is the norm for⁤ a ‍club of Barcelona’s ‌stature. “When​ you play in this club, the ⁤goal⁤ is to win the ⁢competitions you play in, to be at the best level. Last year,‍ we ‌were ⁢eliminated in the quarter-finals, and we hope for more this season,” he emphasized.

“We Need to Tell the Truth”​ – ​Kounde Agrees with Rodri on⁢ Player ⁢Welfare

In a surprising show of​ solidarity with Manchester City midfielder Rodri, Kounde echoed the player’s call for a strike due ⁤to the ​increasing number of games and the​ grueling pace ⁣of the modern football calendar. “I agree with​ everything he said. The schedule is‍ always more packed. We’ve been saying it for three or four‌ years, but‌ we don’t listen to the protagonists, us, the ⁤players. There will come a time when we will ‌have to ​strike. We​ have to tell the‌ truth; it’s the only way​ to make our‌ voice ⁢heard,” Kounde warned.⁢ He also expressed frustration about the lack of ⁤a unified players’ union to advocate⁣ for their rights, citing the upcoming Club World Cup as an example of the⁣ ever-growing number of matches.

Thoughts on the New Champions League ‍Format

When asked about‍ the revamped Champions League format, Kounde was skeptical, saying, “It’s​ hard for me to​ say if it’s better or ⁣not. I think​ nothing can ⁤be perfect‍ because this format ‍assumes that we’re ⁢going to play more⁤ games.” His response ‌reflects ⁤the growing unease among players about⁤ the strain​ of the modern schedule.

Previewing the Monaco Match – Expecting a‍ Difficult Encounter

As‍ Barcelona ⁣prepares to⁢ face AS Monaco in‌ the Champions League,⁢ Kounde acknowledged that the ‍French side poses a significant threat. “We are prepared, but we expect a difficult match,⁣ against a ‌team that ⁣presses and plays with intensity. I still follow Ligue 1, I still have‍ a lot of⁢ attraction for this⁢ championship (he was trained in ‌Bordeaux). I know a lot of players there. Monaco started very well​ with three wins and a draw,” he said, highlighting the team’s attacking talent and physical strength.

Jules Kounde’s ‌candid comments offer a‍ unique ⁣glimpse into ‌the ‍world of top-level football, where the pursuit of victory must be balanced with concerns for player welfare and the impact of an increasingly demanding schedule. As Barcelona⁤ takes on‌ Monaco in the Champions ⁣League, fans and pundits alike will ‌be watching‍ closely to see how these themes play out on the pitch.

What are Jules Kounde’s thoughts on player welfare in modern football?

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Barcelona Defender Jules Kounde Speaks Out on Player Welfare, Champions League Ambitions, and AS Monaco Clash

As the UEFA Champions League kicks off, Barcelona defender Jules Kounde sat down to discuss his team’s ambitions, the grueling schedule of modern football, and their upcoming clash against AS Monaco. The 23-year-old French international has been a vital part of Barcelona’s defense, and his comments shed light on the physical and mental toll of playing at the highest level.

Champions League Ambitions

Barcelona is off to a flying start in La Liga, with five consecutive wins, and Kounde attributes their success to the new dynamic brought by coach Hansi Flick. “The team gets along well with the coach. He has brought a new dynamic. He is very close to us, he pays attention to many details. The attackers press well, we recover balls near the opposing goal, and this gives confidence to the group,” Kounde explained.

When asked about their objective in the Champions League this season, Kounde emphasized the importance of winning. “When you play in this club, the goal is to win the competitions you play in, to be at the best level. Last year, we were eliminated in the quarter-finals, and we hope for more this season.”

Player Welfare in Modern Football

Kounde echoed the sentiments of Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who called for a strike due to the “infernal pace” and increasing number of matches. “I agree with everything he said. The schedule is always more packed. We’ve been saying it for three or four years, but we don’t listen to the protagonists, us, the players. There will come a time when we will have to strike,” Kounde stated.

He highlighted the need for a players’ union to make their voices heard, citing the example of the Club World Cup, which will add more matches to the already congested schedule. “70 matches per season is madness. We lack a union to make our voice heard.”

AS Monaco Clash

Turning his attention to the Champions League opener against AS Monaco, Kounde expressed his respect for the French side. “We are prepared, but we expect a difficult match, against a team that presses and plays with intensity. I still follow Ligue 1, I still have a lot of attraction for this championship. I know a lot of players there. Monaco started very well with three wins and a draw.”

Personal Ambitions

When asked if he considers himself the best right-back in the world in 2024, Kounde remained humble, focusing on personal improvement rather than individual accolades. “What interests me is to give the best version of myself. I am

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