"I try to rise to the challenge every time" - Jules Kounde excited about facing Barcelona teammate in Euro 2024 semifinal 

Jules Kounde has admitted he is excited about facing Spain in the EURO 2024 semifinal. The Barcelona star is ready to face his teammate, Lamine Yamal, and heaped praise on the youngster.

Speaking to the media, Kounde said that he was ready to rise to the occasion and it was one of the main reasons he plays football. He said (via Barca Blaugranes):

“It’s true, there are several important players I’m up against, but that’s why I play football I love important matches, they help me get better and better. I’m always very excited to play against these players, I try to rise to the challenge every time.”

“Just like the team, I’m doing very well in this tournament. I feel comfortable. Like I said, I have the trust of the coach and my teammates. I feel good in this team and in this system. So, I always try to do my best, and so far, things are going really well,” he added (via Barca Universal).

Speaking about facing his Barcelona teammate Yamal, Kounde added that the youngster is a dangerous player on the pitch:

“He is a big part of the danger, but I’d say that the biggest danger is their team as a whole. Yes, he is amazing. I think having a season like his at a young age and with all the expectations and pressure is really amazing.”

Yamal, 16, has provided three assists in five games in the tournament so far.

France take on Spain on Tuesday night (July 9) in the EURO 2024 final. They will be keen on making it to the final, where they will be facing either England or the Netherlands.

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France manager comments on critics ahead of Spain clash at EURO 2024

Didier Deschamps has hit out at critics who have questioned how France play at the EURO 2024. He wants those calling his style boring to watch something else and said (via AP News):

“If we’re boring you, you can watch something else, it doesn’t matter. It’s a very particular European Championship, with less goals than normal. We have the chance to make France happy, in a delicate situation for the country. If (others) are bored, I don’t really care.”

France have yet to score a single goal from open play at Euro 2024. Two of their goals came from own goals and one from a Kylian Mbappe penalty. They needed to go to penalties to beat Portugal in the quarter-finals after a goalless draw after 120 minutes.