Koundé rescues Barça with a golden goal and criticizes lack of intensity

Jules Koundé reappeared at a key moment for FC Barcelona. The French defender scored his first goal of the season in LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26 with a header to equalize the score against Real Sociedad at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. His goal, with an imposing shot after a corner kick by Marcus Rashford, was vital to keep a Barça alive that suffered more than expected in the final stretch of the match.

The defender, consolidated on the right side, does not usually score, but every time he does, he usually leaves his mark. His last goal before today's remains in the memory of the culés: it was the one that opened the comeback in the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, which ended up giving the title to Hansi Flick's team. In total, Koundé has already accumulated eight goals in 149 official matches with the Barça shirt.

A header from Koundé knocked down Remiro's wall

Real Sociedad had taken the lead and Barça needed to break the defensive order of the San Sebastian team. After several clear chances, the equalizer came in the final minute of the first half with a corner kick perfectly executed by Rashford. Koundé, with a powerful jump, connected a header that beat Remiro and made the Barcelona fans explode with joy.

This goal also represents the second goal of the season for Barça from set pieces in La Liga, both headers after corners. The first was signed by Ronald Araujo in Oviedo, also from a pass from Rashford, confirming that set pieces are starting to be an increasingly productive resource for the Catalan club.

Koundé, critical of the team in the final stretch of the match

Beyond the satisfaction for the goal, Koundé was demanding in his statements after the match for Movistar. The French international pointed out that the team lowered its level in the last minutes:

Koundé: “I didn't like our last 25 minutes. We suffered too much and we didn't have control of the ball. The previous 70 were quite good, we had chances to score more than two goals, but Remiro had a great game.”

The defender stressed what aspects Barça lacked in that stretch: “Intensity, retreat and closing the pass inside, which already punished us in the goal. In the last 25 minutes they found us very easily and we complicated the game.”

Set pieces and important returns

Koundé also wanted to highlight the team's improvement in set pieces, where he believes that Barça has taken a leap in quality with the new specialists: “This year we added Rashford and Roony Bardghji, two good launchers, and I think we are being consistent both in attack and in defense in these plays.”

Finally, the Frenchman was happy about the reappearance of Lamine Yamal, who returned to a call-up after overcoming his physical problems: “Very happy for his return because we are going to need him in many moments of the season.”

A Barça that seeks defensive regularity

Koundé's goal serves as a reminder that Barça has many offensive resources beyond its forwards. With the Frenchman's goal, there are already ten Barça players who have seen the goal this season, a sample of the variety and depth of Flick's squad. However, the defender's words also reflect that the team still lacks consistency to close the matches with authority.

Fútbol Club Barcelona will seek to improve those sensations in the upcoming LaLiga and Champions League commitments, where every detail can make a difference in a season full of demands.

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