Coutinho embraces family feel as ‘team spirit strong’ at Bayern

Berlin: Philippe Coutinho says he already feels part of the “family” after forging a potent partnership with Robert Lewandowski at Bayern Munich.

The defending German champions play three games in eight days, starting at league bottom side Paderborn on Saturday before travelling to Spurs in the Champions League on Tuesday and then hosting Hoffenheim in the league.

After failing to fill Andre Iniesta’s shoes at Barcelona, Coutinho is rebooting his career on loan this season, claiming his first goal in Munich’s red shirt with a penalty in last Saturday’s 4-0 win over Cologne. The Brazilian was outstanding and feels “right at home here. I think that’s one of this club’s principles: it’s like a family,” he said.

Coutinho says the squad’s strong spirit was summed up when Lewandowski, who was on a hat-trick, handed over penalty duties to allow him to score against Cologne.

“It was certainly a great gesture. Lewy had the chance for a hat-trick, but he gave me the chance to score my first goal and I’m grateful for it,” said Coutinho.

Bayern coach Niko Kovac says the pair’s understanding is improving “from game to game” and also praised Lewandowski’s penalty gesture.

Bayern are up to second in the German league table, two points behind RB Leipzig.

The pressure is on with five teams, including arch rivals Borussia Dortmund who host Werder Bremen on Saturday, just a point behind.

Agence France-Presse



German League fixtures (all times 1330 GMT unless stated):

On Friday: Union Berlin vs Eintracht Frankfurt (1830)

On Saturday: RB Leipzig vs Schalke 04, Hoffenheim vs Borussia Moenchengladbach, Mainz 05 vs Wolfsburg, Augsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen, Paderborn vs Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen (1630)

On Sunday: Fortuna Duesseldorf vs Freiburg, Cologne vs Hertha Berlin (1600)