#360view: Suarez strikes prove Barca have best attack in the world

Andy West 13:37 28/02/2015
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  • Barcelona's front free is a scary prospect for opposition defenders.

    Any doubts over the question of whether Luis Suarez is making a satisfactory impact during his first season in Barcelona were well and truly answered on Tuesday night.

    The ex-Liverpool star showed all his predatory talents to poach two first-half goals, repaying a decent chunk of his transfer fee by effectively securing Barca’s place in the Champions League’s last eight.

    They were classic striker’s goals: firstly pouncing on a loose ball after a deflection off Vincent Kompany to rifle a left-footed shot into the far corner, and then getting on the end of Jordi Alba’s cross to steer another low effort past the helpless Joe Hart.

    In truth, however, Suarez headed into the tie at Etihad Stadium already well established as a popular and unquestioned starter for his new team.

    Even though he had scored just seven goals in 22 outings before Tuesday’s trip to England – including only four in 15 league appearances – Suarez had done more than enough to win over his new Barcelona teammates, fans and media.

    Rather than worrying about the lack of goals he was providing, the Blaugrana have been well and truly won over by the striker’s relentless work rate and his ability to create chances for fellow frontmen Lionel Messi and Neymar with intelligent movement and selfless passing.

    Suarez has already been credited with 12 assists this season, and the only questions about his suitability to the Nou Camp club were being asked from outside the camp, not within.

    Even so, scoring twice against the reigning Premier League champions on his first return to England sent a powerful message to the outside world – not that it was needed internally – that Suarez is ready to play a full role in his team’s quest for silverware.

    And the game also went a long way towards suggesting that Barcelona now possess the most deadly forward line in world football.

    Even though Neymar was kept relatively quiet by tough-tackling City full-back Pablo Zabaleta on the left flank, Lionel Messi was in sublime form as he cut inside from the right, taking advantage of the space afforded by City’s loose team shape, especially during an opening period which Barca dominated so easily.

    Messi, Suarez and Neymar have now combined for a frightening total of 70 goals this season, and with the former chief influencer of Barca’s approach, Xavi, now sliding towards retirement, they clearly hold the key to their team’s success.

    Barca now play a more direct style, often bypassing the midfield to get the ball forward quickly. And with the varied talents by their front trio – Neymar’s trickery, Messi’s elusiveness and Suarez’s movement – who can blame them?

    If they continue to gel, they will take some stopping.

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