Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has shed light on the strong half-time message delivered by manager Hansi Flick during their tense Champions League quarter-final clash against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.
Jules Kounde: Flick Asked for More Intensity and Focus at Half-Time
Despite carrying a commanding 4-0 aggregate lead into the second leg, Barcelona looked off the pace in the first half at Signal Iduna Park.
Dortmund capitalized on the hosts’ sluggish display, pulling a goal back through a Serhou Guirassy penalty and putting pressure on the Catalans.
Kounde admitted the team’s performance was well below their usual standards and revealed that Flick didn’t hold back during his team talk at the break.
“[Flick said] we had to improve, play better, have more intensity, more concentration,” the Frenchman stated post-match.
“I’m disappointed with the game because I know the team is capable of doing much better; we’ve proven that all season.”
Barcelona lacked the aggression and pressing that had helped them dominate the first leg. Kounde emphasized that the Blaugrana were missing key fundamentals:
“We lacked everything we did well in the first leg — aggression, pressing, concentration, winning duels, closing down passing lanes — a bit of everything.”
Flick’s message seemed to spark a more composed second-half display from Barcelona, who regained some control and kept Dortmund from mounting a full comeback.
Though the match ended with a disappointing 1-0 loss on the night, Barça’s dominant first-leg performance saw them through to the semi-finals.
For Kounde, the dream of lifting the Champions League trophy is still alive.
“It’s a huge goal we’ve had in mind since the start of the season,” he said.
“We dream of winning the Champions League — there’s still one more step to go. We should be happy and proud of the work we’ve done.”
Barcelona now look ahead to the semi-finals, where they’ll face another European heavyweight in their pursuit of continental glory.
