The recovery of Jules Koundé has seated him of wonder so much to Xavi Hernández as to the rest of the staff. The French was solid in defence in the Classical in front of the Real Madrid and confirmed it this Thursday in front of the Villarreal, showing that it is a footballer determinant and an invaluable piece deep down to the equal that Ronald Araújo, that nowadays continues recovering after going through the operating theatre.
In reiterated occasions attained to brake the advanced of Nicolas Jackson and Arnau Danjuma, to the point that Unai Emery moved the bench with the purpose to attain upset the goal of Marc-André ter Stegen. However, the changes were insufficient and in the few opportunities that had was Marcos Alonso like second head office helping to the Frenchman in the marcación.
In fact, his management deep down also involved a good handle of the balloon, a mark patented by Xavi. Koundé Completed 78 of the 80 passes that made, launching 98% of effectiveness in addition to adding two courts of ball, two duels won, a clear and only a fault, without suffering in front of any rival dribbling. Nowadays it is adding whole like one of the guarantees to future that signed the directive to beginnings of season.
Now it will remain to see if the technician decides to repeat the same alignment in front of the Athletic Bilbao or will rest to some important pieces of face to the meeting by Champions in front of the Bayern Munich. The Barcelona depend on that the Inter of Milan puncture to first hour with Viktoria Plzen, what would force them to achieve the three points to aspire to the eighth of final. A miracle that still is possible.
Planning dominical
Like this the things, the plan of Xavi could go through rest to Koundé in front of the 'lions' to avoid a relapse and that arrive in optimum conditions in front of the Bavarians. Nevertheless, it remains to the expectation if the entrance of Gerard Hammered to the 78' minutes in front of the 'groguets' influences in the strategy. Nowadays the ex Seville is the most reliable defender in the staff, and could strengthen in the axis if Sergi Roberto and Héctor Bellerín award guarantees in the following weeks by the right band.