Ronald Koeman cannot have Philippe Coutinho at FC Barcelona for the time being. The Brazilian sustained a serious knee injury in the home game against Eibar (1-1) on Tuesday evening.
The 28-year-old Coutinho came on the field for Miralem Pjanic in the 66th minute and was injured in the stoppage time of the game. He was unable to continue in Camp Nou, so FC Barcelona ended the match with ten men.
On Wednesday, investigation revealed that Coutinho has suffered damage to the meniscus in his left knee and that he needs surgery. The attacking midfielder is expected to be out of circulation for a few months.
It is not the first time this season that Coutinho has to miss games due to an injury. The former player of Internazionale, Liverpool and Bayern Munich previously had an injury to his hamstring. He has played fourteen official games so far this season, scoring three times and providing two assists.
Coutinho’s injury is a big damper for the troubled Koeman, who for the time being does not have access to Ansu Fati, Gerard Piqué and Sergi Roberto. On the other hand, Ousmane Dembélé returned on Tuesday evening.
FC Barcelona lost points against Eibar for the eighth time this season. The team of Koeman and Frenkie de Jong occupies the sixth place in La Liga with 25 points. That are seven fewer than leader Atlético Madrid, which has also played two matches less.
View the program, the results and the position in La Liga
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