Coutinho resurrection
By Álex Delmás @alexdelmas10
Philippe Coutinho is, without doubt, one of the stories of the start of this season. His first month of competition is a long way from that inconsequential player he was two seasons ago in the Blaugrana shirt. We are looking at a player renewed both in football and in energy. And it is not just impressions but also data. This is the radar of general skills from Alebia Sports Analytics, comparing his start to the 20/21 season with the 18/19 season.
As we can see, he improves in many aspects of the game (build-up contribution to the team’s play, effectiveness in one-on-ones…) but especially in offensive impact. Something made even clearer by this second chart, which introduces more specific aspects, pure attacking statistics such as ball carries or passes in the final third.
An improvement based on a series of very particular points in which the tactical variations implemented by Ronald Koeman have a lot to do with it. Here are the main ones:
System of play
The switch from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 has had Philippe Coutinho as its main beneficiary, as the position has all the ingredients the Brazilian wants. In fact, his fit in Valverde’s usual 4-3-3 or occasional 4-4-2 was difficult, among other things, because Coutinho is neither a pure central midfielder nor a conventional winger. The player fits the prototype of the attacking midfielder with everything that entails. A position that has fallen out of use in recent times and that requires a lot of individuality. This spot demands very little defensively while giving many more chances of carrying real weight in the team’s collective play. And the player seems like someone else at the start of this season. It is no coincidence that, in just 3 matches, he has already reached the same number of assists as in 18/19 (2 in total) and that his scoring rate has also increased from 0.21 per 90 minutes to 0.41 goals.
Epicentre of the game
Although Barcelona’s positional attacks “pull” the wingers inside, it is undeniable that leaving the flank has helped him take part in the game a lot more. His team-mates can find him as a support to keep the move going as well as a pass to progress the play. That explains why his game is more significant, even though his rates of participation in the final third are lower (4.89 per 90 minutes this season against 7.8 in 18/19).
Lower effort
Another advantage of the new position is that it is a very comfortable place from a defensive point of view. Basically for two factors. The first is that, playing on the wing, the Brazilian had the duty of working defensively on his flank when the full-back went forward. And although it is true that he did not do so every time, it is also true that all of it demanded more wear and a longer distance covered. That explains why his ball-steal numbers have dropped from 3.65 per 90 minutes in 18/19 to 2.99 in 20/21. The same happens with interceptions, which have gone from 3.80 per 90 minutes in 18/19 to the current 2.14. But, in contrast, Coutinho wins more defensive duels (from 4.17 in 18/19 to 6.14 in 2020/2021). The explanation? Playing in such a privileged position saves him effort and he can reserve more energy for the few defensive challenges he has.
First option in transition
When Barça’s high press does not work and the team has to drop back, his role is to take up a position close to the opposition’s deepest pivot or midfielder. And that makes him the first and most favourable pass to get out. This is why his number of ball carries has risen markedly from 2.55 per 90 minutes two seasons ago to 4.91 in this 20/21. In fact, many of the Blaugrana side’s transitions go through his boots.
A feeling of confidence
A factor that moves away from the tactical, but is even more important, is the sense of confidence the player has today. And that has a big “culprit”, Ronald Koeman, who has given Coutinho a relevant role from the very first minute. The Brazilian is a player so fragile from a mental point of view that he absolutely needs to feel special. And there is no doubt that the Dutch coach has conveyed that to him with actions. All this is reflected in his dribbling success, which has gone from 50% to 56%.
Without doubt we are seeing a new player. His improvement on a personal level is evident. But his game also stands out at league level. The Brazilian ranks as one of the leading attacking midfielders of the competition and of European football.
But not everything is an advantage for the Brazilian in this new ecosystem. This new position requires reciprocity.
Necessarily decisive
Throughout the season he will be obliged to sustain a high level and to decide matches. Being the attacking midfielder in the 4-2-3-1 has privileges but also a high degree of responsibility. And that means being indisputably decisive or, in other words, deciding matches.
The most expensive signing in the history of F.C. Barcelona has regained his smile at the hands of Koeman. But now comes the real challenge for him: that his footballing performances finally reach, once and for all, the consistency expected of him. In the coming months we will see whether this new Coutinho is a mirage or a reality.