AFPBlow for Barcelona as Alejandro Balde to miss BOTH legs of Newcastle Champions League last-16 tie as Liga club provides Jules Kounde injury update
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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
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AFPHammer blow for Balde and Kounde
The medical reports released by the club paint a worrying picture for the Camp Nou faithful. In the first of two separate official announcements, the club detailed the specifics of Kounde's setback, stating, "First-team player Jules Kounde has suffered a mid-belly hamstring (biceps femoris) injury in his left thigh. His recovery progress will determine his availability."
In a separate statement addressing a second blow to the defensive line, the club said: "First-team player Alejandro Balde has suffered a distal hamstring (biceps femoris) injury in his left thigh. Examinations indicate that the recovery process will take approximately 4 weeks."
Kounde was forced off after only 11 minutes in the Copa del Rey clash, appearing to clutch his leg in visible frustration before being replaced. Balde, who was introduced to help the tactical reshuffle, was unable to finish the match himself. The Spain international is now set to miss a crucial chunk of the season, including both legs of the European tie against Newcastle, as his recovery is expected to stretch well into April.
Getty Images SportWhat next for Barcelona?
Flick now faces a race against time to reorganize his defensive line-up before the trip to San Mames on Saturday. With Balde sidelined, Joao Cancelo is expected to revert to the left side of the defence. The return of Eric Garcia from suspension will provide some relief in the central areas, potentially allowing Kounde's replacement to settle into a more natural rhythm alongside Ronald Araujo. The depth of the squad will be tested to its limits as they juggle the pressures of a title race with a high-stakes European campaign.
The accumulation of injuries in key positions is placing immense pressure on the Catalan side's bench. Flick has already had to navigate periods without Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski this season, showing a level of tactical flexibility that will be required once more. For now, the focus shifts to the clinical nature of the Champions League. Without Balde's pace on the overlap, Barca may have to adjust their offensive approach against a disciplined Newcastle outfit.
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