Brazilian to join Bayern Munich, when speaking on Spanish TV just ahead of Friday evening's game at San
Mames.
Coutinho had travelled to Bilbao with the team, but in the end sat high in the stands watching as Barca
dominated possession for the entire game only to be caught by Aritz Aduriz’s spectacular last gasp winner.
It is arguable whether Coutinho would really have made a big difference to Barca’s blunt attempts to unlock
Athletic’s well drilled defence. And he definitely would not have been back in his own box with time almost
up to head away the cross that was so athletically volleyed to the net by the 38 year old Aduriz. But
uncertainty over the midfield and attacking options Valverde can use during 2019/20 definitely led to a
confused Barca display which got exactly what it deserved.
Unfinished transfer business was evident in Ivan Rakitic being surprisingly left out of the starting XI -
coincidentally or not with the Croatian midfielder being one of the few Barca squad members who PSG
would accept in part-exchange for Neymar.
Plus it was striking how Rafinha was Barca’s most creative player on the night, after the Catalan club had
spent the summer trying to sell the finally fit again playmaker. He would have already joined Valencia only
for a row among transfer decision makers at Mestalla, but impressed after entering when Luis Suarez came
off injured before half-time.
Not yet having finalised their squad for the new season was of course only one factor in the defeat. Clearly
also important was Lionel Messi missing due to a calf injury. Although Valverde refused to accept 'Messi-
dependence' as an excuse at the post-game news conference.
“We are used to Leo unblocking games like this for us, but we’ve also played great games without him,” the
blaugrana coach said. “We needed other things, more runs into space, more width. We must transform
possession into chances, which is what counts, and take them.”
With no Messi [or Neymar] around, Antoine Griezmann could have taken advantage to provide those
“other things” in his first official game since his €120m arrival from Atletico Madrid. However Griezmann
had a quiet 90 minutes, struggling to make much impact first on the left wing, then up front after Suarez
left.
Barca's other new signing to start was ex-Ajax playmaker Frenkie De Jong, who was given extra
responsibility on his debut with both Rakitic and Sergio Busquets surprisingly left on the bench. The ex-
Ajax playmaker showed flashes of personality and ability, but expecting a 22-year-old to run a game at San
Mames on his debut was too much.
Coutinho had to be moved on (Getty)Later on Friday evening, as Barca’s fans were still analysing the defeat, Coutinho’s exit was confirmed as a