Kounde is unlikely to return before the November international break as his recovery from a left ankle sprain continues to take longer than expected, leaving him doubtful for Sunday's La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid, according to Diario Sport.
Analysis:Kounde has remained sidelined since suffering the injury against Betis on Oct. 17, missing four consecutive matches against Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Alaves and Aston Villa. Initially expected to recover within approximately one week, the French defender has experienced persistent discomfort, including difficulty wearing his football boots when attempting to resume training. Although he recently returned to limited individual exercises, he has yet to rejoin full team training, and coach Hansi Flick is increasingly considering a return after the international break. No additional injury or structural complication has been reported, but Barcelona remains cautious about accelerating his recovery and risking a setback. Brian Farinas remains an alternative at right-back, with Kounde potentially facing additional competition for playing time once fully fit.
