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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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Daniel Lewis
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