French central defender Jules Koundé, who has still not been able to play a single minute in an official match with FC Barcelona, "will be able to play" Sunday against Valladolid at Camp Nou for the 3rd day of La Liga, his coach Xavi said on Saturday. .
“We are convinced that Jules (Koundé) will be able to play tomorrow (Sunday, editor’s note).
He will be registered, ”said the Catalan technician at a press conference.
Arrived at the end of July, the French international (23 years old, 11 selections), could not be registered for the first two days of La Liga due to Barça's economic concerns: the Catalan club exceeds the salary ceiling set by LaLiga, the body that manages Spanish professional football, if it registers all its summer recruits.
“We will never distort the competition.
Barca have never done it and never will.
It becomes very complicated to register players.
We're optimistic for tomorrow (Sunday), it's just a numbers issue, getting the numbers into financial fair play,” Xavi swept away.
A mixed start to the season for the Catalans
The Blaugrana coach also spoke about the Catalans' Champions League group the day after the draw.
“We will try to beat everyone.
We fell into a very difficult group, perhaps the most difficult of the last twenty years.
The goal is to pass the group stage, but it will be a very big challenge,” reacted Xavi.
Barça will begin their European campaign with the reception of the Czechs of Viktoria Plzen in ten days before continuing with their double confrontations against Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
After conceding a draw against Rayo Vallecano (0-0) at Camp Nou on the first day of La Liga, the Barcelonans won on the lawn of Real Sociedad (4-1) a week later.
Extended in extremis this summer, Ousmane Dembélé unblocked the situation while Robert Lewandowski opened his goal counter with Barça thanks to a double.
While waiting to receive Valladolid on Sunday evening, the club is in 5th place in the Spanish championship.