“This year, I have revenge to take” - Barcelona star sends message to Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni ahead of El Clasico
Barcelona star Jules Kounde has set sights on getting revenge on Real Madrid and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Kounde lost both the Clasicos in LaLiga last season and saw the Blancos win the league title.
Speaking to Telefoot, Kounde said he was looking forward to El Clasico on Saturday (October 26). He added that he wants to beat his countryman Tchouaméni, who is close to him while they are with the national team. Jules Kounde said:
“Facing Tchouaméni in El Clásico? This year, I have revenge to take (smiles)."
Tchouaméni has also acknowledged that Real Madrid have a tough week coming up and that he is setting sights on winning silverware this season. About the 2-1 LaLiga win over Celta Vigo on Saturday (October 19), he said (via Mundo Deportivo):
"We have very important games coming up now: Dortmund, the Clasico in La Liga. We are going to give it our all because we want to win titles."
Real Madrid are chasing Barcelona in the league this season after the Catalan side made a stunning start under Hansi Flick. If they win El Clasico, Los Blancos can go level on points but will fall six points behind if they lose.
Ahead of Barcelona clash, Pundit claims Real Madrid midfield duo is not good enough
Emmanuel Petit has said Real Madrid are suffering because the midfield is not functioning well. He believes they are missing Toni Kroos and that is their main problem this season, not Kylian Mbappe.
During a conversation with Football Espana, he said:
"The main problem for Real Madrid is not Mbappe – it is in midfield. Toni Kroos isn't there, and Luka Modric isn't the same player as he once was. For me, Kroos was the main man, and he is missed so much to the point that it doesn't feel like the same team."
"He has quality, but you can't ask Camavinga to do what Kroos or Modric were doing – it's impossible. What they did was priceless, and there aren't many players that can do the same things. Since he went to Madrid, he has improved as a player – he's played in different positions too. But has he done enough as a midfielder to show that he should be a nailed starter? I'm not sure yet, I'm still waiting for him to show that. It's the same for Tchouameni too, I'm not convinced by him either. For me, he's better as a central defender," he added.
Toni Kroos retired from football after winning the UEFA Champions League and LaLiga last season. Barcelona went trophyless last season and are hoping to get back to winning ways this time around.