The Brazilian joined Barcelona for €120 million, plus another €40 million in surcharges. In January 2018 he failed to establish himself at Camp Nou, leading to his departure from Barcelona in the summer of 2019 as he match the switch to Bayern Munich on a season-long loan.
Coutinho is motivated as never before to use his chances for Barcelona
Philippe Coutinho has a desire to make the most of the chances he’s afforded at Barcelona. The Brazilian joined Barcelona for €120 million, plus another €40 million in surcharges. In January 2018 he failed to establish himself at Camp Nou, leading to his departure from Barcelona in the summer of 2019 as he match the switch to Bayern Munich on a season-long loan. In Germany, Coutinho was able to rediscover his confidence even if he was not a starter every week. As Bayern were on their way to victory in the Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. Now back in Catalonia, the playmaker has earned the trust of new coach Ronald Koeman and started each of Barcelona’s first three league games.
The Brazilian has a lot of hunger to score
Coutinho has had such an impact in all three games that he contributed at least one goal per game. He recorded an assist against Villarreal and Celta Vigo. And then opening his 1-1 account for the season against Sevilla last Sunday. “I came back to Spain with a lot of hunger to do well,” said Coutinho. “I want to take advantage of all the opportunities that I get at Barcelona and with the national team”. Coutinho scored during Brazil’s 5-0 win over Bolivia on Friday night as the Selecao started their World Cup qualifying campaign on the right foot. Tite’s side will travel to Lima on Tuesday night to host Peru in their second qualifier for Qatar 2022. “It will be a tough game, like all qualifiers in South America,” added Coutinho.
Once the international break is over, the 28-year-old will return to Barcelona ahead of his away match at Getafe in LaLiga. Before the Blaugrana hosts Ferencváros at home in their first Champions League game of the season.