Barcelona Defender Slams Teammates for "Lacking Intensity" After Victory

Barcelona triumphed over Real Sociedad during the weekend to climb above Real Madrid in the La Liga table, but Jules Koundé remained unsatisfied with their display.

Koundé found the net to equalize for Barcelona in the closing stages of the first half. Robert Lewandowski added Barça's second goal ten minutes into the second period, which ultimately secured the team's third comeback victory in the early campaign.

While the Catalan side could have easily netted additional goals if not for an outstanding display from Álex Remiro, Real Sociedad created clear opportunities to disrupt what should have been a straightforward Barça victory.

Takefusa Kubo struck the woodwork with under 10 minutes remaining in the match, serving as just one instance of the offensive threats Sergio Francisco's team generated to level the contest in the final stages.

Kounde: We Suffered

The reality that Real Sociedad even possessed an opportunity to claim a point from their trip to Catalonia is something Koundé laments, and he called for Barcelona to show greater intensity after the encounter.

"It was a challenging victory, more challenging than we would have preferred," Kounde acknowledged. "I believe we've been missing control in the final 20–25 minutes of the match."

"I believe we were lacking some intensity and needed to be more concentrated. It became too simple for them to find passes through the center, and then we must start retreating, which exhausts you and allows them to advance. So yes, we endured difficulties."

This isn't the first occasion this campaign that someone from Barcelona has criticized the team for easing up. Hansi Flick confronted his players following Barça's season debut for their insufficient intensity and commitment after establishing an early advantage.

Following his absence from the starting lineup in Barça's opening two matches of the season, Koundé has been in the starting eleven for five of the previous six games. Barcelona will next encounter Champions League titleholders Paris Saint-Germain in the league phase this Wednesday.