Ernesto Valverde has defended his decision to bench Philippe Coutinho for Barcelona's meeting with Eibar, insisting that "it was the best thing for the team".

The Brazilian playmaker, who arrived at Camp Nou from Liverpool in a £142m deal last month, was surprisingly left out for the league leaders' trip to the Estadio Ipurua.

Coutinho is ineligible to face Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday night and was therefore expected to get the nod over Andres Iniesta, but he instead had to make do with a cameo appearance from the bench.

Asked about his decision after the match, Valverde simply told reporters: "I thought it was the best thing for the team."

Barca edged Eibar out 2-0 to return to winning ways in La Liga and move 10 points clear at the summit.