Four takeaways as Bayern Munich narrowly get past Schalke

4 of 5

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – MARCH 3: Philippe Coutinho of Bayern Munchen during the German DFB Pokal match between Schalke 04 v Bayern Munchen at the Veltins Arena on March 3, 2020, in Gelsenkirchen Germany (Photo by Jeroen Meeuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Coutinho showing promising signs

It has been a disappointing campaign for Philippe Coutinho at Bayern. The Brazilian was eager to kickstart his career in Bavaria after a difficult 18-month spell in Barcelona, but things have not gone the way he would have hoped.

Coutinho has shown glimpses of his talent throughout the season, but there has been no consistency in his performances. The lack of continuity in his performances has forced Flick to use him as an option from the bench. However, the recent injuries for Kingsley Coman and Ivan Perisic have given Coutinho another chance to regain his place in the starting lineup.

The Brazilian playmaker started his second game in a row on Tuesday. He didn’t deliver a man of the match performance, but it was a solid performance. The Brazilian was taking up good positions in the final third, and his decision making was much more accurate. He also came close to doubling Bayern’s lead as he struck the post at the hour effort with a ferocious attempt from the edge of the box.

It will take something special from Coutinho in the next couple of months to convince Die Roten to sign him permanently from Barcelona. However, there have been some promising signs shown by the Brazilian forward in the last two games. This is good news for Bayern as his good form can propel them in the Champions League knockout games.