Philippe Coutinho joined his Bayern Munich teammates during a training session on Tuesday as they prepared to face Red Star Belgrade in their Champions League opener. The Brazil playmaker joined the German champions on a season-long loan from Barcelona this summer but has yet to truly catch fire with Bayern winning only two of their first four Bundesliga games. Following seven semi-final appearances in the past decade, the former Liverpool midfielder has been hailed as the man who can take Bayern the extra step in European football's flagship competition this season. Last season's defeat to Liverpool in the last 16 sparked fears that Bayern's Champions League aura was fading. "There are always big expectations at Bayern and of course the Champions League is a goal," <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/philippe-coutinho-joy-at-joining-one-of-the-best-clubs-in-europe-after-completing-season-long-loan-to-bayern-munich-from-barcelona-1.900047">said Coutinho at his unveiling in August</a>. Many believe that the 27-year-old can inspire Bayern to their first Champions League title since 2013.
