TUESDAY 20 AUGUST 2019

Why Barcelona only have

themselves to blame

The Spanish champions suffer a shock defeat to Athletic Bilbao (AFP/Getty)

DERMOT CORRIGAN

Although many at Barcelona spent the summer waiting for Philippe Coutinho to leave, the awkward timing
of his exit contributed to Friday's 0-1 opening day loss at Athletic Bilbao, and highlighted the transfer
tardiness which already has Ernesto Valverde's side playing catch up in La Liga.

Coutinho has had a rough time at Barca since joining from Liverpool for €145million in January 2018, and
the blaugrana board have been trying for months to sell him to fund Neymar's return from Paris Saint
Germain.

So there was relief when Barca director Guillermo Amor confirmed an agreement for the unwanted

Sport /Football