Coutinho joins in exodus to Arabia

Ogbene (26), who is playing in the Premier League for the first time, feels Ireland should take it as a compliment that France changed their way of playing against them.

“Their style of play from the home game in the Aviva was slightly different. It’s a sign of respect for us as the way they set up,” he added.

“They knew what we had and we could catch them on the counter.

“But they set up in a way we couldn’t really engage them and get a press on.

“They overloaded the (left flank) and we couldn’t really find an answer to it

“We were very surprised as we watched their previous games against Holland and Greece and they’ve totally changed for us.

“It’s a sign of respect but I’m disappointed because we couldn’t rectify it early in the game. By then we shot ourselves in the foot by conceding that early goal.

“When you’re playing against world class players and a world class team, it was always going to be difficult away from home.

“That’s what we were up against and overall the performance was good and we can look forward to

PHILIPPE Coutinho has completed a season long loan move to Al-Duhail from Aston Villa.

The 31-year-old joined Villa in January 2022 – initially on loan – after former boss Steven Gerrard pushed for his signature.

Coutinho (right) signed from Barcelona for the second half of the 2021/22 campaign, and made a stunning return to the Premier League.

He recorded seven goal contributions in his first eight appearances for the club, but the produced just two in his next 37 in all competitions.

The Brazilian will now depart on loan just a year after penning a permanent contract with Villa, after

Barcelona agreed to a £17million sale last summer.

Unai Emery started Coutinho just once after being appointed as Steven Gerrard’s replacement back in

November.

Injured

Coutinho started in the 4-2 defeat to

Arsenal, and scored his final goal for the club against the Gunners, before being taken off injured.

The former Liverpool star came off the bench in Villa’s first two Premier League fixtures this season, against Newcastle and Everton, but suffered a hamstring injury in the 4-0 win over the Toffees.