Hansi Flick punishes Barcelona star for breaking team rules and regulations

Barcelona are flying high in the Spanish La Liga as they continued their impressive start to the season with a 3-0 win over Alaves.

However, the match against Alaves saw Hansi Flick make a change to his starting eleven compared to the team that beat Young Boys on Tuesday night. The German tactician brought in Hector Fort for Kounde.

Kounde had played every single minute of the season, so this marked his first rest. However, it has been reported that the decision to drop the France international was not due to rest but a punishment for his unpunctuality.

According to a report by Toni Juanmarti in SPORT, Jules Kounde’s absence from the starting line-up against Alaves was not due to squad rotation but a disciplinary action.

Jules Kounde  looks on prior to the LaLiga match between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona (Photo By Ricardo Larreina/Europa Press via Getty Images)

The French defender was benched because he arrived late for the pre-match discussion.

As per the report, Flick’s original plan was to include Kounde in the starting line-up. However, his late arrival at the pre-match talk forced the coach to change his plans.

Fort seized the opportunity and made his first start of the season against Alaves, impressing with his performance. Kounde eventually came on in the final 25 minutes, replacing Fort, who had done his job admirably.

Flick since his arrival has ensured players adhere to his instructions and the latest punishment served by Kounde proves no one is bigger than the club.

The former Bayern Munich manager had warned the squad several times this season about the importance of punctuality and it’s a rule he takes seriously.