​France’s Jules Kounde has addressed his FC Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal’s recent comments ahead of their upcoming semi-final clash with Spain.Kounde and Yamal have formed a solid partnership together on the right side of the field, giving opposition defences several problems in La Liga and in Europe.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut now they are set to face each other while representing France and Spain, respectively. Ahead of the game, Yamal made some strong comments about the game, which some suggested were disrespectful.Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty ImagesAhead of the game, Lamine Yamal told reporters that he and Spain weren’t afraid of France, especially as they had gotten the better of them in recent tournament outings in Europe.When asked if these comments were disrespectful, Jules Kounde explained why he doesn’t believe they were.The French defender said that Yamal is very confident in himself and his team, and that is why he said what he said.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“At no time have we felt he was being disrespectful. I know Lamine well, and I know how he is. For me, it’s a sign of confidence.“He always does it with Barca. He believes in his own qualities and those who play on his team. I see it as extra motivation for him, and that is it.It is true that Spain have had the better of France in their last two meetings. Both games came in the semi-finals of UEFA tournaments.In 2024, Yamal scored one of the best goals of his career against France, as they toppled the European giants en route to winning the European Championship.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe following year, Yamal and Spain survived against France in a thrilling 5-4 win to advance to the UEFA Nations League final.Heading into Wednesday’s game, Spain are eyeing a hat-trick of wins against France in semi-final games. Unfortunately for them, they face a far stronger and more in-form French side.Yamal has been criticised in the past for being too arrogant. Statements like the one he made prior to the semi-final will only fuel these criticisms, but he can silence his critics with a massive performance against France.Read more: