Coutinho’s arrival has turned Bayern into Champions League contenders, insists Ederson

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson believes the signing of compatriot Philippe Coutinho puts Bayern Munich among the favourites for this season’s Champions League.
The 27-year-old joined the Bavarians on loan from Barcelona in the summer having struggled to find his top form at the Nou Camp following his £105m move from Liverpool in 2017.
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- Bayern last won the Champions League in 2013, beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at Wembley.
- They have lost in four semi-finals in the years since.
- A squad overhaul saw the likes of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery leave in the summer.
- Coutinho was loaned from Barca to help replace that duo.
- City ‘keeper Ederson believes Coutinho’s arrival puts Bayern among the UCL favourites again.
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But Coutinho has already made an impression among his Bayern teammates, with Robert Lewandowski saying the Brazilian can give Bayern “something special” in big games.
And that view is shared by Ederson, who has placed Bayern among his favourites for Champions League glory thanks to Coutinho’s arrival.
“Bayern is always a great team. Now with Coutinho they definitely belong among the title favourites for the Champions League,” Ederson told Bild while on international duty.
“Coutinho is a brilliant player. Unfortunately, it did not go as well for him in Barcelona as it was in Liverpool.
“At Bayern, he can now show his football again and be really happy again.”
Coutinho’s loan deal contains a clause which allows Bayern to purchase him permanently for £110m at the end of the season and following their 6-1 thrashing of Mainz before the international break, the playmaker revealed he is looking forward to learning from a squad packed with top-class talent.
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“There are a lot of good players, top players and great players [here],” he said.
“I’m really happy to be here so that I can learn from them and get better.”
Bayern are second in the Bundesliga table having taken seven points from their opening three games. Nico Kovac’s men face a trip to league leaders RB Leipzig on Saturday.