Pavard says Coutinho will make the difference at Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard is confident that Philippe Coutinho can make the difference for the club as the season progresses. The Brazil international joined the Bavarian giants on loan from Barcelona during the final stages of the summer transfer window and they have the option to sign him permanently next year.

He has already made a couple of appearances for Bayern without contributing a goal or an assist but Pavard is confident that the attacker will show his best form, once he has returned to full fitness, he told: “A little wizard! He is very discreet and really personable. First of all, a really fine guy. And of course a very good footballer.

"It's very hard to get him off the ball. He's not 100 per cent yet - he probably needs some more games because he joined the team very late. But I'm sure, in a few weeks, we will see the world-class footballer Coutinho. Of course [he can make the difference]. I now know him from a few training sessions and I have no doubt about that. He has incredible quality and will show it to everyone."

Coutinho had a tough 2018/19 campaign with Barcelona and he happened to struggle in the league where he managed just five goals across all competitions. As a result, he was always touted to pursue a fresh challenge elsewhere and he has now been offered the chance to redeem himself with the German champions.

On paper, Bayern remain the favourites to secure an eighth straight league title but they could face stiff competition from Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund have already beaten them during the German Super Cup but Bayern were much weaker at that point of time. Both Ivan Perisic and Coutinho were pursued on loan after the Cup defeat. Bayern return from the international break with a testing challenge against RB Leipzig away from home.