Kounde joins Rodri's initiative to strike over overloaded schedules

The players' strike is getting closer. If first it was Rodri, now it is the turn of Jules Kounde. The Barcelona defender spoke about it at the press conference ahead of his side's Champions League match against Monaco.

"It's a good question. In different matches there are unions. I remember an important one in France. But we lack the organisation to make it a single voice. It is more powerful when it comes from a single voice and a single organisation that brings together many players. It's something we have to discuss and organise," he explained.

"The time will come to go on strike because it is the only way for those who decide, to listen to our voice. There are more and more injuries and less and less rest time. When you play the Club World Cup there are more matches, less rest time. There are 70 games a season, it's crazy."

Barcelona make their new Champions League debut against Monaco in the new format on Thursday: "It's difficult. I think there are advantages and disadvantages. Nothing is perfect. We'll have to try it out to have an opinion. As I said, you have to play more games. It's more of a burden.

"In the new format, it's more competitive. You play with more teams. The truth is that it's difficult, I can't tell you if it's better or worse."