Not too many people expected Roma to come back from the dead in the Champions League and dump out one of the favourites, Barcelona, but that’s exactly what happened, and if the Catalans learned anything, it was that they missed Philippe Coutinho’s ability to unlock the Italian’s defence.
Against Valencia on Saturday, the former Liverpool man was the star of the show with two assists and some great individual moments.
In particular, the way in which he dissected the Los Che defence for Luis Suarez to grab the opener, was sublime. An outside-of-the-boot caress which the Uruguayan only had to connect with to ensure the goal.
Against a team that had won eight of their last nine, and drawn the other, first blood in the game was crucial.
It’s true that he’s still got a way to go yet before he becomes somewhere close to the player he was at Liverpool, but Coutinho himself admitted after the Valencia game that he always thought it would take this half season to bed in and get used to the ‘Barca way.’
Certain moves become staccato and occasionally he’s in the wrong place to receive from his teammates, but that sort of ‘telepathy’ takes time.
What Ernesto Valverde wants to see is continuous improvement and he’s definitely getting that at this point from the Brazilian. Compare his honeymoon period with Ousmane Dembele’s.
There is no comparison. The young Frenchman still looks out of his depth, but it must be borne in mind that Coutinho does have a few extra years experience.
Had lady luck been on Barca’s side on Saturday, they would’ve got at least another goal or two, and Coutinho was at the fulcrum of everything good that his side did.
Indeed, his presence allowed Messi to roam and do what he does best, something else that was sorely missing against the Italians.
On current form, only a fool would suggest that the Brazilian doesn’t get a starting spot in the Copa del Rey final next weekend, and it’s those types of stages that the midfielder loves.
Whether he’s stationed out on the left or right against Sevilla is a moot point at this stage, but what’s clear is that Barca will be a much more difficult proposition at the Wanda Metropolitano with him in the starting XI.
Another performance like Saturday’s and those who were saying he was a complete waste of money will be left to eat their words.
