Defender Jules Kounde asserted that Barcelona players must take responsibility for the team’s disappointing performances this season, as the reigning Spanish champions currently trail by eight points in La Liga.
Barcelona suffered a significant setback in the Spanish Super Cup final against long-time rivals Real Madrid, suffering a 4-1 defeat. In La Liga, they find themselves positioned below unexpected successes by Girona, Real, and Athletic Club.
Under increasing pressure, Barcelona secured a much-needed morale boost with a 3-1 victory over fourth-tier Unionistas de Salamanca in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Thursday, providing a positive development for coach Xavi’s side.
“At the end of the day, you can talk about the coach, but we (the players) are the ones out there on the pitch,” Kounde, who was one of the goalscorers against Unionistas, told Movistar.
“When there are bad results, it’s also our fault, of course. We had to react tonight. This game was important, and we have to move forward with intensity, which is what I think we have lacked this season.
“Winning the Copa is one of the objectives, and after a tough defeat on Sunday, we needed to show a reaction. We put in a serious performance.”
Barca will next visit Real Betis in the league on Sunday.