Coutinho makes his first La Liga start

Patrick Power 7 years ago 7.9k |

Reading time: minutes

A first La Liga start. EFE

The Brazilian playmaker made the starting lineup as Ernesto Valverde's side hosted Alaves at the Camp Nou. After coming off the bench in the Copa del Rey win over Espanyol, a first league start for Coutinho.

As expected, Ernesto Valverde included Philippe Coutinho in his lineup to face Alaves, with the former Liverpool man playing alongside Iniesta, Paulinho and Rakitic.

Coutinho is expected to eventually replace Iniesta at the Camp Nou, but the Barca boss decided to play the pair together, resting Sergio Busquets.

The Brazilian made his Barcelona debut against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, showing flashes of his talent. Against Alaves, Valverde granted him a new chance in front of his new fans.

Barcelona lineup: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Piqué, Umtiti, Digne, Rakitic, Iniesta, Paulinho, Coutinho, Messi and Suárez.

Alaves lineup: Pacheco, Alexis, Laguardia, Maripán, Duarte, Ibai Gómez, Medrán, Wakaso, Pedraza, Guidetti and Rubén Sobrino.