The fitting reply by Philippe Coutinho against Barcelona mistreatment

 

"Bayern Munich completed an eight-goal humiliation and Coutinho struck twice against his parent club – a fitting reply to the mistreatment"

On January 6, 2018, Liverpool confirmed they had reached an agreement with Barcelona for the transfer of Coutinho. His transfer fee was reported to be an initial £105 million, which could rise to £142 million with various clauses being met.

But his Barcelona-journey was not rosy. At Camp Nou, the little magician was like a lost soul. Clearly, he had not been exploited the right way – the position he played in Liverpool was not given more often and day by day he became an unwanted man. While Jurgen Klopp, his mentor, transformed the Reds into a champion side, Coutinho experienced pitfalls and at one point his career hit the rock bottom.

The Brazilian fans are not habituated watching their stars going on loan to other clubs. Thus, when Coutinho joined Bayern Munich on August 19, 2019, on a season-long loan, it was tough to digest. How badly Barcelona had demoralized such a good player and their mistreatment continued even after that – Arthur Melo was humiliated and which let him leave Camp Nou for Juventus whereas, Antoine Griezmann should be cursing himself for leaving Atletico Madrid.

And, before the above-mentioned player, it was Neymar who received enough unfriendly behaviour from the media and fans, which triggered his departure.  

Barcelona is not a club anymore, but an institution, which runs on the wishes of the so-called best player in the world.

Should a club be like this?

Surely not!

When an individual becomes larger than the club then the outcomes must be disastrous.

Bayern Munich taught Barcelona a lesson last night – a team should play like a team and not focus on the interest of just one player.

In a night of goal festival at Benfica, Robert Lewandowski was still not on the scoring-sheet.  

With 17 minutes remaining, Hansie Flick brought on Coutinho to join the party against his parent club.

Coutinho was playing in the position where he played at Anfield.

In the 82nd minute, Coutinho had the ball into the Barcelona box - reached the byline before smashing a cross across goal for Lewandowski to head into an empty net. Lewandowski was n the score-sheet and Braca were feeling the Coutinho impact!

Three minutes later, Bayern broke away again and it was Thomas Müller who played the ball out to the left for Coutinho. His first touch was a heavy one but was able to reach it with a slide ahead of two Barcelona defenders and the ball glided into the net.

A goal against his parent club and Bayern put seven past Barcelona.

Four minutes later, a long ball to the back post from the edge of the Bayern box and Theo Hernandez headed it down. The ball deflects around and it was Coutinho once again who smashed it home.

Bayern Munich completed an eight-goal humiliation and Coutinho struck twice against his parent club – a fitting reply to the mistreatment.  

Again, Barcelona could face the embarrassing prospect of having to pay Liverpool €5m (£4.5m) if Philippe Coutinho wins the Champions League with Bayern Munich this season.

The deal to sign Coutinho from Liverpool included a number of potential add-on clauses, but incredibly they are player-specific rather than club-specific.

One of those clauses was that Barcelona would pay Liverpool £4.5m if Coutinho won the Champions League in either the 2018-19 or 2019-20 season, but it does not specify that it had to be while playing for them.

The kind of form Bayern are in it is evident that they might lift the title until and unless the other teams put up an inspiring show to stop them.

Whatever might be the outcome, Coutinho had hit back. It is still not sure where Coutinho might head next season, but players like him need to bounce back and rediscover their mojo – football needs him.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 15/08/2020 The fitting reply by Philippe Coutinho against Barcelona mistreatment

Thank You

Faisal Caesar