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June 20, 2018

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Coutinho bears Brazil burden

Source: AP | 00:01 UTC+8 June 20, 2018 | Print Edition

With Neymar hobbling and struggling, the burden to keep Brazil going at the World Cup is suddenly falling on Philippe Coutinho.

The Barcelona playmaker has already delivered with an outstanding goal in the opener against Switzerland as Neymar was stymied by tough defending and poor fitness. And with the team’s top star not expected to be at his best again for the game against Costa Rica on Friday, it will be up to Coutinho to step forward and try to lead the five-time world champion.

Brazil coach Tite said before the tournament started that Neymar wouldn’t likely be fully fit until the third match of the group stage because of the foot injury that sidelined him for about three months this year.

There were expectations he could still carry Brazil despite the ongoing recovery, but his performance in the 1-1 draw against the Swiss disappointed. He was heavily marked and had little space to create chances for his teammates, being fouled 10 times during the game in Rostov-on-Don. The Paris Saint-Germain player was limping when he talked to reporters after the match, although team doctors said it was nothing serious and he’d play on Friday.

But the spotlight will also be on Coutinho, whose performance against Switzerland contrasted with Neymar’s lackluster showing.

As the Swiss swarmed toward Neymar every time he touched the ball, Coutinho was able to pose a greater threat in attack. His amazing goal — a right-footed shot from outside the area that curled into the top corner in the 20th minute — was one of the best of the tournament so far. The ball pinged in off the post as Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer dived in vain.

If Neymar struggles again against Costa Rica in St Petersburg, another good showing by Coutinho will be crucial for Brazil, as anything but victory could be a disaster for the “Selecao”.

The draw against Switzerland, which ended Brazil’s nine-match winning streak in World Cup openers, left the national team two points behind Group E leader Serbia, which defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in its opener. Brazil’s final game will be against Serbia on June 27 in Nizhny Novgorod.

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