Barcelona Manager, Valverde Explains Why Coutinho Must Adjust To Messi’s Role

Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde, has said Phillipe Coutinho has to adjust to Lionel Messi’s role in the team.

Valverde was speaking to the media, after their 1-0 win over Valencia, in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday night.

Messi set up Luis Suarez to head in the winner with 67 minutes played.

Club-record signing Philippe Coutinho started the match from the bench, but was introduced around the hour-mark.

“It’s true that Coutinho played on the centre because sometimes Messi likes playing on the right side,” Valverde said.

“If that happens we have to readjust a bit. Our idea is Coutinho should play on the sides, when Messi plays in the centre, but he can play everywhere.

“It’s true that for Liverpool he used to play on the left but for Brazil he used to play on the right side. He can suit any place forward,”‎ he added.