France and Barcelona centre-back Jules Kounde said he did not seem to have suffered a serious injury after being taken off with an apparent hamstring problem in his team’s 1-0 win at Valencia on Saturday night.The 23-year-old defender thought he had suffered an “overload” rather than an injury, after being replaced at Mestalla in the 74th minute, with less than three weeks before the World Cup starts.”I’m doing fine, it doesn’t seem like anything serious. It is an overload. We’re on a crazy path with so many games, every three days, but we have to look after ourselves. I think there are too many games, but we are not in charge. They should think more about the players.”Barcelona coach Xavi said Kounde would undergo checks but at first sight “it seems like discomfort”.”You have to find a way” — 🎙 @jkeey4 reacts to #ValenciaBarça pic.twitter.com/ivao4ZLEe6— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 30, 2022 The novel window for the World Cup finals caused the already-overloaded football calendar to alter yet more changes, with players hardly ever getting time to recover following gruelling matches on both domestic and international stage. As a result, the risk of injuries grows with every passing week.Defending champions France have mounting injury concerns ahead of the tournament in Qatar. Chelsea’s French midfielder N’Golo Kante has been ruled out of the tournament because of a hamstring injury, while Juventus’ Paul Pogba is still a doubt after knee surgery.Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane suffered a hamstring injury last weekend, while goalkeepers Mike Maignan and Steve Mandanda have also suffered injuries, with the former unlikely to make the tournament.##NAJAVA_MECA_6767687##Barcelona’s Spanish defender Eric Garcia was also forced off with a groin issue in the game, while Valencia’s Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani was taken off after appearing to aggravate an ankle problem.If you ever doubted Lewandowski – now is the moment to apologizeEarlier, Spain striker Alvaro Morata was substituted by Atletico Madrid at Cadiz in the 10th minute after his foot was stepped on and he could not continue.The World Cup starts on November 20, with France’s first game against Australia on November 22. If players continue to pick up injuries at this rate, someone will have to be held responsible.LA LIGA – ROUND 12FridayMallorca – Espanyol 1-1 (0-0)/Muriqi 48 – Lazo 70/SaturdayAlmeria – Celta 3-1 (0-1)/Lazaro 52, De la Hoz 60, Eguaras 90+6 – Veiga 25/Cadiz – Atletico 3-2 (1-0)/Bongonda 1, Fernandez 81, Sobrino 90+9 – Hernandez 85 og, Felix 89/Sevilla – Rayo Vallecano 0-1 (0-0)/Garcia 61/Valencia – Barcelona 0-1 (0-0)/Lewandowski 90+3/Sunday16:00: (1.99) Osasuna (3.50) Valladolid (4.40)18:15: (1.24) Real Madrid (6.75) Girona (14.0)20:30: (2.35) Ath.Bilbao (3.35) Villareal (3.40)23:00: (2.11) Sociedad (3.40) Betis (3.70)Monday23:00: (2.75) Elche (3.05) Getafe (3.00)***odds are subject to change***
