All Eyes On Coutinho To Spark Bayern Munich Champions League Charge
17th September 2019
Such expectations could weigh heavy on Coutinho, who is looking to reboot his career after struggling to hold down a first-team spot in a year and a half at Barcelona
- As Bayern launch their Champions League campaign against Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday night, Bavarian hopes of reclaiming European club football's top prize rest to a large extent on the shoulders of Coutinho
- Following seven semi-final appearances in the last decade, the former Liverpool midfielder has been hailed as the man who can take Bayern the extra step in European football's flagship competition this season
- Last season's defeat to Liverpool in the last 16 sparked fears that Bayern's Champions League aura was fading
BERLIN, Germany- As
Bayern Munich launch their Champions League campaign against Red Star Belgrade
on Wednesday night, Bavarian hopes of reclaiming European club football's top
prize rest to a large extent on the shoulders of Philippe Coutinho.
Following seven semi-final appearances in the last decade,
the former Liverpool midfielder has been hailed as the man who can take Bayern
the extra step in European football's flagship competition this season.
Last season's defeat to Liverpool in the last 16 sparked
fears that Bayern's Champions League aura was fading.
The departure of veteran stars such as Franck Ribery and
Arjen Robben seemed to confirm the end of an era, but Coutinho's arrival on
loan from Barcelona has prompted fresh hope that Bayern can be restored as one
of the continent's most feared sides.
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"There are always big expectations at Bayern and of
course the Champions League is a goal," said Coutinho at his unveiling in
August.
Many believe that the 27-year-old can inspire Bayern to
their first Champions League title since 2013.
Earlier this month, his Brazil team-mate and Manchester City
goalkeeper Ederson told German newspaper Bild that Coutinho's arrival put
Bayern among the title favourites this season.
Fellow Bayern midfielder Corentin Tolisso echoed that
sentiment in an interview with Sky last month, saying that the loan signings of
Coutinho and Croatian winger Ivan Perisic would be decisive for Bayern.
"Before those two arrived, we didn't necessarily have a
team that was capable of winning the treble," said Tolisso.
"With this team, we can go very far in the Champions
League. I think the title is possible."
Such expectations could weigh heavy on Coutinho, who is
looking to reboot his career after struggling to hold down a first-team spot in
a year and a half at Barcelona.
His price tag is also a potential burden. Though Bayern paid
a loan fee of just 8.5 million euros ($9.5m) to secure his services, German
media estimate Coutinho's wages at around 13 million euros a year after tax,
which would make him the highest-paid player in the Bayern dressing room.
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"Those things don't bother me. I want to enjoy being on
the pitch, play in big games and win titles. The numbers are just a side note
for me," Coutinho told Sport Bild magazine last week.
The Brazilian has charmed the Munich press so far, promising
to learn German and speaking in glowing terms of the welcome he has received at
Bayern.
He told Sport Bild that he hoped to emulate the sort of form
which once made him a fan favourite at Liverpool.