FC Barcelona Defender Jules Kounde ‘Very Disappointed’ Following Manchester United Europa League Defeat

FC Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has revealed he feels “very disappointed” by his team’s defeat to Manchester United as “the goal was to win the Europa League.”

The Catalans again crashed out on the continent prematurely by losing 2-1 to the Mancunians at Old Trafford on Thursday and 4-3 on aggregate.

Speaking after the playoff loss, the World Cup finalist insisted that while the result had come as a disappointment, it cannot be called a “failure”, because his team competed.

“They were two very close matches against one of the best in-form opponents,” Kounde claimed in his post-match interview.

“We are a young squad, we have improved and we will continue to grow. We have to go one step further and next year we are going to win it,” he vowed.

Preferring to look at the positives, Kounde pointed to a good first half the Blaugrana put on where they dominated their hosts.

“But in the second half we conceded too quickly and we lost control. You have to give the opponent the credit they deserve,” he said of United, who “made it very difficult for us”.

Kounde wanted to thank the traveling Culers who came to support his team, “because we felt their spirit throughout the game.”

“I’m disappointed not only for the dressing room, but also for them, because they deserved qualification,” Kounde added.

With Barca eight points clear at the top of the table thanks to Kounde’s contributions in a defensive line that has conceded just seven goals in 22 matches, focus now turns back to La Liga where they take on Almeira away on Sunday.

Despite another catastrophic failure in Europe, Barca still have two trophies to fight for while through the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

On March 2 and April 5, they will play bitter rivals Real Madrid home and away for a chance to take on either Osasuna or Athletic Club in the decider.