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Philippe Coutinho has no explanation for Barcelona’s recent Champions League drought

By Sarah Salahpour

Barcelona's Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho gives a press conference before a training session at the Joan Gamper Sports Center in Sant Joan Despi near Barcelona on September 17, 2018, on the eve of the UEFA Champions' League football match FC Barcelona against PSV Eindhoven. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)
Barcelona's Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho gives a press conference before a training session at the Joan Gamper Sports Center in Sant Joan Despi near Barcelona on September 17, 2018, on the eve of the UEFA Champions' League football match FC Barcelona against PSV Eindhoven. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Philippe Coutinho was at a loss for words over Barcelona’s recent struggles in the Champions League.

Ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League opener against PSV Eindhoven, Philippe Coutinho was left without any explanation to reason Lionel Messi only winning one of the last five European titles.

It is curious that arguably the best player on the planet has only got his hands on the silverware once in the last five years. And this surprising statistic has left many scratching their heads including Brazilian playmaker Coutinho, who could not explain Messi’s drought in the Champions League.

This is in stark contrast to Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid who have won four of the last five titles including a record three-peat.

"“It’s difficult [to explain],” he said. “He is the best player in the world, [the best] in the history of the game. It’s difficult to explain it.“Messi, like all of us, is really motivated to win big things [this season] and the Champions League is one of them.”"

At the pre-match press conference, the midfielder also spoke on the Andres Iniesta comparisons, believing he has a long way to go until he deserves to be compared to the legendary Barcelona playmaker.

"“I try to work hard regardless of my position and I work hard on every aspect of my game, I feel more of an attacking midfielder and I am comfortable on the left as this is where I’ve played the most.”“My goal is to improve at everything and if I want to be like Andres Iniesta I have to improve a lot.”"

Excited to get the ball rolling

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This time around the Brazilian is more than thrilled to be able to participate in the Champions League, after being forced to watch from the sidelines last season due to his ineligibility, as he hopes to help lead his team to lift the title that they haven’t won since 2015 with only one title in seven seasons.

Along with Lionel Messi, who had already stated his hunger and ambition to secure the title earlier this season, Coutinho has now followed in that same direction, further confirming the Blaugrana will be going all out in Europe this year.

"“Barcelona fight for all the competitions but the Champions League is the biggest and we are going to go for it. We haven’t won it in a few years but we have the players and we are hungry to go out there and win it.”"

Next. ‘One game at a time’ policy a thing of the past. dark

The Brazilian has started the season in fine fashion with a goal and an assist to his name in the league. He scored five goals and assisted two as part of a red-hot Liverpool attack in the group stages last season, so he will be hoping to continue that form on this season. Him and Ousmane Dembele have settled into the squad, so they should ensure there isn’t as much reliance on Messi to produce moments of individual brilliance.

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