Kounde: 'Mbappé is a player who makes the difference and the aim is to stop him'
Jules Kounde is not just any footballer. He has been Xavi's go-to player in 2024, having played every possible minute in every competition, a unique feat across the five major European leagues. He is definitely a key component and Wednesday will see him charged with a particularly difficult mission, namely stopping Mbappé and the rest of the Paris side's attack.
Kounde knows what he is talking about when he says that “Mbappé is a player who makes the difference. I know him well because we play for the national side together. He is a player who makes the difference and we will try to stop him, that's the aim”. However, Kounde was quick to remind that there is more to PSG than just Mbappé, stating that "On a collective level, PSG are much more than one player".
First time for Kounde
This will be a special game at the Parc des Princes for Kounde, as it is being played in Paris, his home, and because it is also where he will play the first Champions League quarter-final leg in his career. “I am very excited and I can't wait. These are my first quarter-final matches”, he affirmed during the pre-match press conference. “On a collective level it's also been a while since the team reached the quarter-finals. The team are coming into it in very good shape, we are ready, and with a lot of desire to play here”, he added.
When asked about the team's good defensive performance in recent games, Kounde outlined some of the reasons for the improvement in this sense, stating “We are more focused, putting in more effort, starting from the front. Not only are we conceding fewer goals, but they are creating fewer chances against us too. You have more chance to win games if you don't concede many”.
Lastly, Kounde also sung the praises of Pau Cubarsí, one of this season's breakout players. “He's calm when he plays and he is ready, he adds something to us. Just like Lamine Yamal and Fermín, he is an example for all the players at La Masia”, he emphasised.