Coutinho hits back at comments labeling him lazy

If all wasn't rough enough already for Philippe Coutinho at Barcelona, he has had to take the time to hit back at comments that labelled him lazy in a press conference on Saturday, November 6.

The Brazilian international started on the bench in the Blaugrana's 3-3 draw away at Celta Vigo on Saturday and was asked to warm up when Ansu Fati picked up an injury.

However, at half-time, when Ansu Fati was substituted off, it was Alejandro Balde who made it onto the pitch instead and Coutinho never came off the bench.

Barjuan none the wiser

In a press conference after the final whistle, Barcelona interim boss Sergi Barjuan was asked about the incident with Coutinho.

"I didn't focus on any of that," he said. "I was watching the game, which was very demanding.

"In 10 days I've felt everyone gets along with me. It's clear that with those who haven't played it's harder.

"I've had to take decisions and [Coutinho] did not play today."

Coutinho lashes back

Coutinho himself later told reporters that he was shocked by the comments that labelled him lazy and insisted that none of it is true.

"Since I returned, I did not have a sequence of four or five games from the beginning to be able to reach my best level, [to] get match fit," he told the media.

"I was a little bit surprised when I arrived home and saw this, that I am being called a lazy player in the media. I have always been a professional in my entire career.

"I have never had any lack of professionalism - you can check at all clubs that I have ever played - I have always respected everybody, my team-mates, staff, all the people that I have worked with.

"I confess I was a little bit surprised when I saw that. But that's fine, I respect the opinion of all you journalists."

This all came after reports in Spain that various teammates of Coutinho had approached him due to his attitude towards training.