PHILIPPE COUTINHO’S Barcelona career has hit a new low after being benched for two teenagers in Thursday’s 0-0 draw away at Cadiz.
The Brazilian playmaker, 29, found himself on the substitutes’ bench at the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla as the Blaugrana dropped more points.
Ronald Koeman opted to start Gavi, 17, and Yusuf Demir, 18, over the ex-Liverpool star as the Catalan club were held to back-to-back draws in the Spanish top-flight.
Coutinho was then brought on for the final 22 minutes, but he failed to provide a spark in what was another uninspiring display.
He is now yet to provide a goal or an assist from his three outings in all competitions this campaign.
The last time the ex-Bayern Munich loanee got on the score sheet for Barca was in November 2020 during a 4-0 win against Osasuna.
Meanwhile he hasn’t provided an assist for the Copa del Rey holders since October 2020.
Barca finished the away clash at Cadiz with ten men after Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong was sent off for two yellow cards.
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The result leaves the club seventh in the table and already seven points behind rivals and LaLiga leaders Real Madrid.
Pressure is building on Koeman following Barca’s poor start to the campaign, with fans already keen for him to be sacked.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday where he refused to take questions, Koeman declared that supporters must have ‘patience’.
He said: “The club is with me as a coach in a rebuilding situation.
“The financial situation of the club is linked to sports performances and vice versa.
“That means that we, as a squad, have to rebuild the football team without being able to make large financial investments. That takes time.
“Today’s young talents can become the new world stars in a couple of years.
“The good thing about rebuilding the team is that young players will have opportunities like Xavi and Iniesta had in their day. But patience is required.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
