‘He'll show that’ - Barcelona manager backs Kounde to stop Lookman in Copa del Rey clash

The two La Liga powerhouses are set to clash on Thursday at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, reigniting a rivalry that saw them meet at the same stage last season. 

Atlético, ten-time winners of the cup, are looking to unseat the reigning champions, while Barcelona aim to extend their impressive recent form in the competition.

While Barcelona will be missing Marcus Rashford, the team will look to teenage star Lamine Yamal for offensive creativity. 

Much of the pre-game focus has been on Atlético's new acquisition, Lookman, who joined from Atalanta in a €35 million deal on deadline day and has made an immediate impact.

The Nigerian international made a stunning first impression, scoring a goal and providing an assist in his Copa del Rey debut during Atlético's dominant 5-0 victory over Real Betis in the quarter-finals. 

With a reputation for delivering in high-stakes matches, Lookman is widely seen as a potential difference-maker against a strong Barcelona team.

Given Lookman's explosive pace and clinical finishing, Koundé is expected to be tasked with marking him on Barcelona's right defensive flank. 

Flick affirmed that the French international possesses the resilience and fighting spirit required for the duel.

"For me, Koundé is always a fighter," Flick stated in his pre-match press conference, as reported by Marca. "Sometimes we don't have our best day; we're human. 

“He always fights and tries to recover when he doesn't get off to a good start. His mentality is top-notch, and he'll show that tomorrow."

Flick also acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match, adding, "It's a tough match because I really like Atlético de Madrid's style of play, with a very clear philosophy, and they're not easy to defend against."