Brazil coach confirms: Coutinho on bench; Willian will start

Posted August 30, 2017 7:00 am

The Associated Press

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP) - Philippe Coutinho will be on the bench when Brazil plays Ecuador on Thursday in a World Cup qualifying match.

The Liverpool forward, linked to a move to Barcelona, has yet to play a minute in the Premier League this season. He is reported to have a back injury, although he has practiced this week with Brazil's national team.

Brazil coach Tite says Chelsea forward Willian will start in place of Coutinho. Tite says of Willian: "He has been playing, he is doing great so, in fairness, he will start the match and Coutinho is benched."

Tite says he told Coutinho he needed to be in a "place where he feels happy; if it's at Liverpool - if it's a move to Barcelona."

Brazil has already qualified for the World Cup next year in Russia.

Brazil's Philippe Coutinho controls the ball during a training session in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017. Brazil will face Ecuador in a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match on Aug. 31. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) The Associated Press

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