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Philippe Coutinho admits there "is a lot of tension" at Barcelona

Coutinho admits there
© Reuters
Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho pleads for patience following his side's worst start to a La Liga season after 10 matches in 33 years.

Philippe Coutinho has admitted that there is "a lot of tension" at Barcelona after a poor start to Ronald Koeman's tenure.

The Catalan giants suffered a shock 2-1 loss to recently-promoted Cadiz last weekend to pile the pressure on head coach Koeman, who was only appointed in August.

Barca's return of 14 points from 10 matches makes this their worst start to a La Liga campaign since 1987-88.

Coutinho, used in eight of those games, is hopeful that he and his teammates will be given time to turn things around.

"It's always difficult when you lose an important game because the atmosphere is frustrated," he said at a news conference.

"I see the team with desire, I'm stronger than before and I see the team in good condition with a desire to change this.

"We're in a process of renewal, we have to be patient. We have to want to improve every detail that doesn't work out, internally we talk a lot, in chats with the coach and between us, there are many things to improve and we'll improve them internally.

"The coach has changed, the players, it's all part of the process of renewal, we have to be patient and we have to make everything work in the best way possible.

"I know the performance hasn't been what's expected, being Barcelona there's a lot of tension, what I can say is that I've worked mentally to be good. Even more so coming from a defeat, you're more hungry to get back onto the pitch and show our strength."

Barcelona may have struggled domestically, but they have won all five Champions League matches ahead of this evening's home meeting with Juventus.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2GironaGirona34235673423174
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves34118153238-641
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas34107173043-1337
15Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
16Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
17Mallorca34614142740-1332
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
19Granada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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