Jules Koundé: "The Champions League must be the goal, but not winning it wouldn't be a failure."

On his renewal: "The club, like me, had the same desire to stay."

BARCELONA, 21 (EUROPA PRESS)

FC Barcelona right-back Jules Koundé has stated that winning the Champions League "must be the objective" this season, although not winning it "wouldn't be a failure," as there are other competitions and the season could still be "very successful," as he believes the previous one was, in which they came close to reaching the final after losing to Inter Milan in the semi-finals.

"Every time we start the season, we set goals, and when you're at Barça, and with the team we have and the season we had last year, that has to be the goal (the Champions League). We're not obsessed with it; we don't have to talk about it every day, but of course it's a goal," he assured the media at the event for his contract renewal until 2030.

The Frenchman then explained that it's not an obsession, but that everyone "dreams" of winning it. "It's not an obsession in the sense that anything less than winning it will be a failure, because last season, for example, I think was a very successful season. We could do better and win the Champions League. That's our goal, but it's not an obsession because we have other competitions to fight for, other titles," he emphasized.

"It's clearly the competition that generates the most excitement, not just here at Barcelona, ​​but I think in the world of football. It's the competition that has the most significance. That's why I said it wasn't an obsession, but of course we all dream of winning it," the full-back added.

Regarding his contract renewal until 2030, Koundé is "very happy" with the club and the city, so the decision to stay was "easy." "I'm happy, to be honest, to renew my contract. It was quite simple, let's say, because I think the club, like me, had the same desire to stay. I'm very happy here, at the club, in the city, and with the team, so it was really easy," he revealed.

The full-back, who joined Barça as a center-back, emphasized that he feels "more and more comfortable in that position" and that he will play wherever Hansi Flick asks him to. "The truth is that it's a question that always comes up. As I've said several times, I'm very comfortable in that position. I think I'm becoming more established, I feel more comfortable," he stated.

"It also depends on what the manager wants. I'm always willing to play whatever position he asks of me, but to be honest, I'll always define myself as a center-back converted to a full-back, because I've basically been a center-back my whole life, but I'm very comfortable in that position," he said.

On the right wing, he shares a spot with Lamine Yamal, whom he has described as an "extraordinary player" and that he understands why he doesn't defend as much as any other player if he then scores a goal or assists. "We have a very good relationship. The truth is, he's a good, extraordinary, brilliant player, and he's also a team player. I mean, he contributes, and sometimes we see his dribbling and such because that's where the focus is, but he's a guy who works for the team, who has that team spirit," he explained.

"It's true that he won't defend like any other player, because he also needs that energy to attack, to cause damage, and I understand that very well. Ultimately, I'm a defender, although being a full-back also requires attacking, and I enjoy it more and more and try to improve. But my first job is to defend well, and in that sense, I don't mind defending a little more, and then the guy makes an assist, scores, and has a great game," he stated.

Regarding the areas he needs to improve on this season, the full-back explained that it should be "conceding fewer goals" and being "more pragmatic" on some occasions. "We can still improve in all areas. We can play better, attack better, defend better, but if I have to choose one thing, I think it would still be conceding fewer goals this season," he revealed.

"At certain times in some games, where it's the final minutes, you're not having a good day. The game isn't comfortable, but it's also important to understand that there are times when we won't be able to take as many risks. That doesn't mean we're going to deny who we are and how we play. I think it's more about being more pragmatic at times," he said.

Finally, Koundé expressed his excitement about the club's future and the prospect of returning to the Camp Nou soon. "We're very excited, I'm very excited. I think so, as I've said, the club has gone through difficult times. Of course, not everything is perfect, but I think it's on the right track at all levels. So I hope we can enjoy it more and have the best situation for the years to come," he emphasized.

"I think everyone's excited to return to Camp Nou and enjoy the fans and the fact that more and more people can come because it's true that I was able to experience it the first year and it's a very special ground. Special for us, it's our home. I think the fans also have a lot of affection for it and it has a huge importance, and I also think it influences the opponents because it's a historic, historic, special, big ground where a lot of fans can come," he concluded.