Philippe Coutinho hungry for success with Barcelona after learning “a lot about work” at Bayern

In a recent interview (Goal) while away on international duty for Brazil, Philippe Coutinho said he’s incredibly eager for success at Barcelona after his season long loan spell at Bayern Munich. He was signed as a last minute loan option last summer along with Ivan Perisic after the transfer of Leroy Sane from Manchester City had fallen through due to his cruciate ligament tear.

Despite having not been Bayern’s first choice signing, he made the most of the opportunities he was given at Bayern en route to another historic treble at the club, scoring 11 goals and providing 9 assists from a total of 38 appearances across all competitions along the way.

Coming off of winning the treble with Bayern, Coutinho said that’s he’s really enjoying his football again with a renewed sense of hunger for the season ahead for both Barcelona and Brazil: “I’m having a very good time. In these seasons I have achieved many things on a personal and collective level, which is the most important thing. I have returned to Spain with a lot of desire for things to go well and it is also what I want in the national team, every opportunity I have I want to play great games giving my best for the team.”

Speaking about his season-long loan spell, the midfielder spoke about the intensity within the squad under Hansi Flick. Coutinho isn’t the most physical presence himself, but he said that the training intensity at Bayern has greatly helped him in that department of his game, both strength and fitness wise. It’s evident with the way that everyone in the Bayern squad never stops running and working for one another; the work rate is relentless.

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“At Bayern, I learned a lot about work, because they are very intense in training. A natural consequence is the evolution in the physical part, which I have really had, because you work a lot and I have worked a lot,” Coutinho said. “I already had this way of thinking, but now I have to dedicate myself three or four times more than normal to be successful,” he continued.

Currently, La Liga is three matches into the season before it broke for the international break and Barcelona has won twice and drawn once. Coutinho has started all three matches and has already scored once and has provided two assists. He also scored in Brazil’s 5-0 win over Bolivia in their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier. He’s off to a great start for both club and country, so hopefully he continues on in the same vein.

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