Barcelona defender dominates Man City speedster in MOTM performance at the Euros

After Spain and Germany’s victories in the Euros round of 16, six Barcelona players have already confirmed their spots in the quarterfinal stage.

With France triumphing over Belgium most recently, another Blaugrana star joined the list today, and he did so in style.

Indeed, Jules Kounde helped his French compatriots seal qualification to the next round with a dominant display in defense.

While the spotlight was expected to fall on France’s two formidable forwards, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, it was Kounde’s defensive prowess and composure on the ball that truly stole the show.

Jules Kounde drops a MOTM performance

Throughout the group stage, Kounde looked incredibly sharp. Extending his form into the knockout stages, he managed to lock up one of the tournament’s most fearsome wingers, Jeremy Doku.

Kounde showcased an impressive performance against Belgium, playing the full 90 minutes. He led the team with 5 chances created, completing an impressive 56 out of 63 passes

Defensively, Kounde won three out of four tackles, made one clearance, and triumphed in five out of eight duels, underscoring his all-around impact on the game.

Moreover, he excelled in his duels with Manchester City ace Doku, significantly influencing his team’s defensive grit.

Despite being known for tormenting defenders and enjoying an incredible performance against Romania in the group stages, Doku failed to get the better of Kounde.

As a result, the 25-year-old’s standout contributions earned him the man-of-the-match award for the round-of-16 match against Belgium.

Kounde expected to be an important figure under Hansi Flick

Indeed, despite garnering tremendous interest from all over Europe, reports have argued that Flick values Kounde and aspires to count on him completely next season.

His adaptability, whether central or wide, makes him indispensable for the team’s tactics moving forward.

Today’s incredible exhibition in a high-stakes encounter is sure to strengthen his case next season.