MX23RW : Monday, November 25 00:17:45| >> :120:5170:5170:
[monks data]
Attendance: 79,774
Barcelona logo
Copa del Rey | Quarter-Finals
Jan 25, 2018 at 8.30pm UK
 
Espanyol logo

2-0

Suarez (9'), Messi (25')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Ernesto Valverde "has a lot of hope" for Philippe Coutinho

Valverde
© SilverHub
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde hopes that Philippe Coutinho can shine at Camp Nou after showing some good link-up play with Lionel Messi on his debut.

Ernesto Valverde has talked up Philippe Coutinho's potential in a Barcelona shirt after the Brazilian playmaker made his much-anticipated debut against Espanyol.

Coutinho was brought on for the final 20 minutes of the Catalan giants' 2-0 victory at Camp Nou on Thursday night, three weeks after joining from Liverpool in a £142m transfer.

The 25-year-old did not make any serious impact on the match, but he did show the odd glimmer of what is to come when linking up with superstar forward Lionel Messi in attack.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Valverde said: "We have a lot of hope for him. In the sense that he will be good for our game, he can help us with his self-confidence, his ability one-on-one, to see the free player when he is close to the area, the danger is sensed.

"[Coutinho had] a simple game, but I think it went well. Let's see, this is the beginning."

Barcelona prevailed 2-1 on aggregate against rivals Espanyol to book a semi-final spot for the eighth year in a row.

ID:317135: cacheID:317135:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2122:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Philippe Coutinho's Barcelona shirt pictured on January 6, 2018
Read Next:
Coutinho hails "very special" Barca debut
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!