This archive report was first published on 17 September 2019.
Bayern Munich's Champions League campaign is set to kick off against Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday night, with the team's hopes of reclaiming European club football's top prize largely resting on the shoulders of Philippe Coutinho.
Following seven semi-final appearances in the last decade, Coutinho has been hailed as the man who can take Bayern the extra step in European football's flagship competition this season.
His arrival on loan from Barcelona has prompted fresh hope that Bayern can be restored as one of the continent's most feared sides, despite last season's defeat to Liverpool in the last 16 sparking 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," Coutinho said at his unveiling in August.
Many believe that the 27-year-old can inspire Bayern to their first Champions League title since 2013, with his Brazil team-mate and Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson telling German newspaper Bild that Coutinho's arrival put Bayern among the title favourites this season.
Bayern midfielder Corentin Tolisso echoed that sentiment, saying that the loan signings of Coutinho and Croatian winger Ivan Perisic would be decisive for Bayern.
"Before those two arrived, we didn't necessarily have a team that was capable of winning the treble," Tolisso said. "With this team, we can go very far in the Champions League. I think the title is possible."
Coutinho's price tag is also a potential burden, with German media estimating his wages at around 13 million euros a year after tax, making him the highest-paid player in the Bayern dressing room.
"Those things don't bother me. I want to enjoy being on the pitch, play in big games and win titles. The numbers are just a side note for me," Coutinho told Sport Bild magazine last week.
Despite the pressure, Coutinho has charmed the Munich press, promising to learn German and speaking in glowing terms of the welcome he has received at Bayern.
He told Sport Bild that he hoped to emulate the sort of form which once made him a fan favourite at Liverpool.
"I have noticed in my first few games for Bayern that football here is very intense like it is in England. Much more so than in Spain and Brazil. That is good for me," he said.
However, it remains early days for Coutinho, who has made just one start for Bayern in three Bundesliga appearances so far.
Coach Niko Kovac insisted that Coutinho needed time to recover after returning from Brazil following the international break.
"He only had 72 hours recovery time. He will definitely play in the next few games," said Kovac.
For Coutinho, it seems, the season starts for real on Wednesday against Red Star Belgrade.
