Coutinho offers encouragement at end of dark Barça week

There have been a lot of shadows at Barcelona in the last week. A sad and disappointing exit in the Champions League to Roma, dismally losing 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, and an undeserved win against Valencia (but a victory, nevertheless). There was little else to be impressed about other than the three points (and another step towards the titles) against Marcelino’s side. The team looked tired, predictable and had fortune (and Marc-Andre ter Stegen) on their side. 

But on a grey day at Camp Nou, there was a ray of light. A ray of light called ‘Phil’. Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian, who was unable to play in the Champions League (cup-tied from his appearances with Liverpool earlier in the season) had moments during the Valencia win which meant the fans went hime with some hope. Because while Barça seem to be dragging themselves over the finish line, tired and loaded with minutes, it was a breath of air to see the shoots of encouragement offered by Coutinho on Saturday. 

Coutinho, beyond only being able to play in the league and the cup since signing in January, has missed good games with quieter games until now. But his work of art for the first goal against Valencia, full of precision, subtlety and vision, was exactly what the supporters hope to see from a crack who will, surely, explode at Camp Nou eventually. He also set up the second goal for Samuel Umtiti from a corner. 

Suarez was the benefactor of the first goal, which was probably the finest moment of Coutinho’s Barça career to date. The pass, accurate to the nearest millimetre, filtered through the Valencia defence perfectly. Xavi Hernandez would have been proud. Hopefully it’s not a one off. It was a little detail which was needed after the week Barça had experienced.