{"id":1437429,"date":"2026-03-09T16:47:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T16:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1437429"},"modified":"2026-03-09T16:47:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T16:47:14","slug":"tactical-analysis-jules-kounde-eric-garcia-barcelona","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-jules-kounde-eric-garcia-barcelona\/","title":{"rendered":"Barcelona analysis: Why Eric Garcia could be key against Newcastle after Kounde injury"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A 1-0 win at Athletic Club on Saturday night saw Barcelona re-open a four-point lead at the top of La Liga.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s now three league victories on the spin for Hansi Flick\u2019s men. Four in all competitions if you factor in the 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid last week. That said, Barcelona crashed out of the Copa Del Rey, losing 4-3 on aggregate. The Blaugrana won the battle, but they lost the war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-kounde-s-injury-a-blow\" data-level=\"3\">Kounde&#8217;s injury a blow<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-frenchman-and-yamal-s-partnership\" data-level=\"3\">Frenchman and Yamal&#8217;s partnership<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-flick-s-full-back-cover\" data-level=\"3\">Flick&#8217;s full-back cover<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-can-garcia-deputise-for-kounde\" data-level=\"3\">Can Garcia deputise for Kounde?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Midweek success also came at a cost. Jules Kounde was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury early in the clash. Similarly, his replacement on the night, Alejandro Balde, also suffered an issue. Both players will miss the trip to Newcastle on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kounde-s-injury-a-blow\">Kounde&#8217;s injury a blow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Suddenly, Barcelona are without both first-choice full-backs for their crunch round-of-16 clash. The Spanish side could arguably make do without Balde. The absence of Kounde, however, is huge. Whether it\u2019s Harvey Barnes or Anthony Gordon who starts on the left in midweek, they\u2019ll have breathed a sigh of relief when it was confirmed the Frenchman would miss out.<\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/midnite\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Midnite Offer<\/a>: Bet \u00a310, get \u00a330 in free bets<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>How to claim:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li>Open an account at Midnite using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/midnite?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>this link<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>Deposit \u00a310 or more<\/li>\r\n<li>Place your first bet of \u00a310 or more (minimum odds of 1\/1)<\/li>\r\n<li>Receive \u00a330 in free bets, valid for 7 days on selected betse only.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/midnite?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1422505 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-1024x358.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-1024x358.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-300x105.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-768x268.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-400x140.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-572x200.png 572w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-172x60.png 172w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-150x52.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148-40x14.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06121645\/image-148.png 1499w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>18+ New customers only. Place a \u00a310+ bet at min odds 1\/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get \u00a330 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&amp;Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org<\/em><\/p>\r\n<hr \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kounde\u2019s impact for Barcelona cannot over overstated. The 27-year-old is arguably one of the best right-backs in Europe. The France star doesn\u2019t get the same plaudits as others in his role but that shouldn\u2019t detract his importance for Flick\u2019s side. Kounde shows the willingness to get forward when needs must to help stretch the play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-frenchman-and-yamal-s-partnership\">Frenchman and Yamal&#8217;s partnership<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Spanish side\u2019s preference is to attack down the right as one might expect. After all, Flick is able to call upon the exceptional Lamine Yamal down that side. And you better believe both the Spaniard and Kounde have forged a flying partnership down the right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kounde is there to effectively mop up behind Yamal. The former\u2019s defensive input allows the latter to wreak havoc in the final third. What\u2019s key, though, is that Kounde is ready to fly forward in order to overlap Yamal, the Spaniard routinely looking to cut infield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The defender may not always be picked out by Yamal, who is more than capable of taking his marker on. That shouldn\u2019t diminish Kounde\u2019s role for the Spanish giants, however. The willingness to yo-yo up and down the flank drags markers out of position. Space that would otherwise be at a premium appears for Yamal to exploit. No player has completed more take ons than Yamal (27) in the Champions League this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-flick-s-full-back-cover\">Flick&#8217;s full-back cover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That wouldn\u2019t be possible with Kounde. As such, his absence is going to hinder Barcelona more than some may care to admit. Admittedly, Flick has relevant cover for both Kounde and Balde at left-back. Gerard Martin and Joao Cancelo are handy deputies at left-back. Ronald Araujo can play right-back, too.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/03\/09163854\/team_-average-positions-4-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1437435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/03\/09163854\/team_-average-positions-4-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/03\/09163854\/team_-average-positions-4-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/03\/09163854\/team_-average-positions-4-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/03\/09163854\/team_-average-positions-4-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/03\/09163854\/team_-average-positions-4-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/03\/09163854\/team_-average-positions-4-267x267.jpg 267w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/03\/09163854\/team_-average-positions-4-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/03\/09163854\/team_-average-positions-4-60x60.jpg 60w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/03\/09163854\/team_-average-positions-4-40x40.jpg 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/03\/09163854\/team_-average-positions-4.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In all likelihood, however, Eric Garcia is expected to shift across to right-back. It was Garcia who started here against Athletic Club over the weekend. A centre-back by trade, the Spaniard has made seven league starts on the right side of defence this season. It\u2019s not the first time that the 25-year-old has deputised at right-back, notably doing so when Kounde was injured in the Champions League semi-final against Inter last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Importantly, Garcia has been effective in the role when needed, ensuring that Kounde wasn\u2019t overly missed when the latter endured a spell on the sidelines. Barcelona will now be hoping for a similar impact over the coming weeks. As we approach the business end of the campaign, this is a crucial period for the Spanish powerhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-can-garcia-deputise-for-kounde\">Can Garcia deputise for Kounde?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Out of the Copa del Rey, Barcelona now have just La Liga and the Champions League to focus on. Flick\u2019s side were handed the easier side of the draw. Victory over Newcastle will see them take on Atletico Madrid or Tottenham in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. They may then face Arsenal in the semi-finals if they make it that far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kounde\u2019s absence is a blow, of that there is no doubt. The former Sevilla man provides both defensive resolve and the unrelenting desire to try and support Yamal when Barcelona push forward. Whereas once Kounde&#8217;s injury would have severely impacted Barcelona\u2019s quest to secure a first leg advantage, Garcia has proven a more-than sufficient stand-in at the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His emergence as a first-choice backup could be what helps Barcelona take a huge step into the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free 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width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/22163332\/Arteta220826_ID3FAX7G5-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-how-arsenal-are-turning-up-set-piece-routines\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    How Arsenal are turning it up a notch with their set-piece routines                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                             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size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-brentford-vs-tottenham-22-06-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Brentford vs Tottenham stats and analysis: How Bees imposed themselves in dominant win over Spurs                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n               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                <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-hull-city-vs-man-united-22-08-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Hull City vs Man United stats and analysis: How Tigers paved the way for shock win over Red Devils                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">3 days 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href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/jamie-vardy-next-club-2026-drwss\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Dream, realistic, wildcard, Squawka Suggests: Where could Jamie Vardy go next?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">4 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-arsenal-vs-coventry-city-21-08-26\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/21215146\/ArsenalCoventry210826_ID3FAWX1T-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-arsenal-vs-coventry-city-21-08-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Arsenal vs Coventry City stats and analysis: How Gunners handed Sky Blues &#8216;welcome to the Premier League&#8217; moment                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">4 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A 1-0 win at Athletic Club on Saturday night saw Barcelona re-open a four-point lead at the top of La Liga. It\u2019s now three league victories on the spin for Hansi Flick\u2019s men. Four in all competitions if you factor in the 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid last week. That said, Barcelona crashed out of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1437432,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"How Hansi Flick could replace Jules Kound\u00e9 against Newcastle, with Eric Garcia set to step in for the Champions League tie.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1437429","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Barcelona analysis: Why Eric Garcia could be key against Newcastle after Kounde injury | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How Hansi Flick could replace Jules Kound\u00e9 against Newcastle, 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