International friendlies: Austria 0-3 Brazil, 5 Talking Points

#3 Coutinho shines in the left midfield role

Coutinho was able to exert greater influence today

Deployed as a left winger against Croatia in the absence of Neymar, Coutinho was shunted back into the left of the midfield troika with Fernandinho dropping to the bench. This is the position that Coutinho thrived in when at Liverpool and replicated similar heroics in this game too.

In the initial exchanges when Brazil looked unsettled, it was Coutinho who took the initiative at goal when he magnificently cut inside and curled a shot that tested the Austrian keeper. He was central to Brazil's creativity in the final third and rounded off a fine evening with an equally fine goal.

Collecting the ball from Firmino on the left, Coutinho drove forward and hammered it home in an identical fashion to the opener by Jesus. It was a reflection of the player's confidence and despite a season of crests and troughs, he looks absolutely buoyant ahead of the tournament.