Pique Offers Support To Struggling Coutinho

By Max Wise

Gerard Pique has backed Philippe Coutinho to rediscover his best form for Barcelona after the Brazilian midfielder was jeered by the club’s fans in their 3-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

Coutinho put in another insipid display against the relegation-threatened side, and he felt the brunt of the home faithfuls when he was substituted for Ivan Rakitic with ten minutes left on the clock.

Coutinho has not scored in La Liga for 16 games since netting against Real Madrid in late October.

Coutinho joined Barcelona for a transfer fee of £142m from Liverpool in January 2018, and Pique believes the former Inter Milan midfielder is being singled out for criticism because of his hefty price tag.

"Philippe is having a good season," Pique told reporters after cancelling out Raul de Tomas' opener for Rayo.

"Obviously his cost was very high, so that means there are more expectations of his performance level.

"It is what it is. We have to accept the reaction of the fans because they are our followers but from the inside we have to give him our support.

"We need him at his best for the end of the season and I'm sure he will be."

Barcelona’s 3-1 victory helped tighten their grip on top spot as second-placed Atletico Madrid had bridged the points gap to four points with victory over Leganes earlier in the day.

Coutinho will get seemingly get another chance to prove his doubters wrong in midweek as the Spanish champions host French side Lyon in the Champions League round of 16 second leg, with Ousmane Dembele suffering from a hamstring problem.

Coutinho has played 38 times for Barcelona in all competitions this season, scoring eight goals.