Philippe Coutinho’s ‘moment is now!’ Brazil boss

Brazil boss Tite is set to choose Philippe Coutinho over Chelsea winger Willian for his side’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers and believes there is a reason why Liverpool fans call him ‘the Magician’.
Coutinho has enjoyed a fine start to the season with the Reds and has seemingly impressed his national manager, who is set to give him a chance to shine in Brazil’s matches against Bolivia and Venezuela.
Tite, who took over from Dunga as Brazil boss in June, praised Coutinho’s creative abilities and believes his ‘moment’ with the five-time World Cup winners is now.

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‘There’s a reason he is called the Magician (by Liverpool fans),’ Tite said in his press conference.

‘With his passes, Coutinho opens the lines, creates space. I like his mobility, he was influential in both games when he came on.

‘It was a difficult decision for me, but right now this is Coutinho’s moment. And in football, you have to follow the moment.’

Coutinho made his international debut in 2010 and has gone on to make 19 appearances for Brazil, scoring four goals.

Willian, the victim of Coutinho’s rise, has racked up 38 caps for his country and has been a mainstay of the side for the last two and a half years.

Brazil sit second in the South America World Cup qualification table on 15 points and will look to enhance their chances of reaching Russia when they host Bolivia on Friday morning. Tite’s men then travel to Venezuela, who are bottom of the table, on Wednesday.

ARIS