'A very big mistake' - Jules Kounde reveals who is to blame for Barcelona's capitulation in terrible Celta Vigo draw

Barcelona went into their away fixture against Celta Vigo as firm favourites, and with less than 10 minutes remaining, looked on course for a solid if unspectacular 2-0 win to maintain their lead atop La Liga. However, in the 82nd minute, Marc Casado picked up a red card, and soon after, right-back Kounde gifted Celta possession as Alfon Gonzalez scored an easy goal to halve the deficit. Two minutes later, Hugo Alvarez completed the unexpected late comeback as Barcelona fell to a demoralising draw.

Heading into the first matchday after the international break, Barcelona held a comfortable six point lead and with the advantage of playing ahead of Real Madrid, who face Leganes on Sunday, had the chance to heap on the pressure onto their Clasico rivals with a win. However, things didn't go to plan. Despite Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski giving them a two goal cushion, a late capitulation saw them miss the opportunity to go nine points clear, and should Real Madrid win on Sunday, the gap will be cut to four points. Kounde took responsibility for his game-changing error.

Speaking in a post-match interview, Kounde said: "We didn’t do what we needed throughout the match and in the end we were punished. Starting with me, I didn’t play a good game. I lacked concentration. In a very simple passage of play, I made a very big mistake.

"We have to get back to our level. When things are going well it’s easy. Now we have to be united and get back to our best."

Kounde and Barcelona will need to wipe this result from their minds quickly, as they face Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday. The French minnows are one of just six teams in the competition who remain undefeated.