Philippe Coutinho Finding His Place At Inter

When Internazionale sold Mario Balotelli to Manchester City, Inter patron Massimo Moratti claimed the youngster was dispensable in part because of the arrival of Philippe Coutinho.

Simultaneously, hordes of fans moved the cursor over to Google and typed in the Brazilian's name.

What they will have found out is that Coutinho is an 18-year-old attacker, diminutive in stature, who Inter bought as a 16-year-old and loaned back to Vasco da Gama for two seasons. They would have read that he became a starter in Brazil, leading Vasco back to the top division and shining for the Brazilian U-17 side.

What they won't have learned is how quickly Coutinho would adapt to Italy, though Rafael Benitez never had any doubts.

"He has many qualities, we're expecting him to do well straightaway," said Benítez at the press conference introducing Coutinho. "He can be the future of Inter."

In that press conference, the youngster revealed himself a humble and meek alternative to the brash malcontent of Balotelli. When asked if he played like Wesley Sneijder, Coutinho almost blushed.

"I resemble Sneijder? If only; I would like that, and how."

Benitez slowly eased Coutinho into the lineup in the early weeks, giving him substitute appearances. Against FC Twente, Coutinho played the last half hour and created two goal-scoring chances and took two shots. In the next Champions League matchup, Coutinho earned his first start, capitalizing on a shakeup from the loss to AS Roma and an injury to Diego Milito.

Inter won 4-0.

Coutinho has started the three matches since, in each further brushing aside his timidness. He even earned his debut for the Brazil national team against Iran earlier this month.

His watershed moment came Wednesday against Tottenham Hotspur. Floating in from his left flank like usual, the Brazilian combined ball control as tight as the curls in his hair with short sharp passing (he completed 65 out of 73 feeds) to dismantle Tottenham and give Inter a 4-0 lead by halftime.

Despite assisting one goal and creating another in the first half, Coutinho's slickest moments perhaps came in the second half when he moved more centrally alongside Sneijder. There he teamed up with his mentor to showcase a technically precise and eye-pleasing Inter fans won't be used to seeing.

Count Sneijder among his fans as well. "With his qualities he will make it; he will make it for sure," the Dutch playmaker told UEFA.com.






















It's still early. Coutinho will have many more obstacles to maneuver around in his slick fashion, including when Milito returns to fitness and when opposition teams start signaling him out for particularly rough marking. But thus far Coutinho is carving out his place in Inter.

"I thought it would be more difficult to come into a squad that won everything last season," Coutinho admitted to UEFA.com, "but, thank God, I immediately found my place."