Luis Suarez: I knew I would be a success at Barcelona

Andy West 00:23 04/05/2015
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  • Trident: Messi, Neymar and Suarez.

    Luis Suarez claims it was only a matter of time before he started delivering the goals for Barcelona.

    After moving from Liverpool last summer, Suarez made a slow start to his life at the Nou Camp, scoring just one goal in his first seven games after finally being able to make his debut in late October following a post-World Cup suspension.

    He didn’t net his first goal in La Liga until a victory over Cordoba shortly before Christmas, at which time there was speculation that his place in the team was under threat.

    But manager Luis Enrique always kept his faith in the Uruguayan, who has responded with a magnificent run of goalscoring culminating in a treble in Saturday’s 8-0 thrashing of Cordoba.

    Suarez has now netted 10 goals in his last eight games, and his outstanding on-pitch chemistry with Lionel Messi and Neymar helps to provide a strong sense of confidence as Barca prepare for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final clash with Bayern Munich.

    Suarez has gone from provider to goalscorer and his finishing and overall confidence has been there for all to see during Barca’s fine run of form. Looking back on his struggles earlier this season, Suarez insists that he was never concerned by his initial lack of goals.

    “At first I took a bit of time to adapt,” he said. “But I knew I’d end up scoring goals. With the support of my friends and family, and knowing that what I had to do was work hard and play as I always have, the goals were going to come.”

    Saturday’s victory, which condemned Cordoba to relegation, keeps Barca’s two point lead at the top of La Liga intact with just three games remaining.

    And Suarez exuded the confidence which is clearly running through the team as he emphasised Barca’s belief in their ability to score goals, adding: “It was difficult to score at first, but we just needed to have patience because we knew we’d end up scoring.”

    A late flurry of goals included a penalty which was converted by Neymar, allowing the Brazilian to get onto the scoresheet after usual penalty taker Messi generously turned down the chance to register his hat-trick in favour of handing the ball to his team-mate.

    Suarez said Messi’s charity was a sign of his team-first ethic, saying: “It was a wonderful gesture that shows how he puts the team and his team-mates before himself.”

    Versatile Argentine Javier Mascherano, meanwhile, has hailed boss Enrique for allowing the squad to head into the final stages of the season firing on all cylinders.

    Enrique’s rotation policy attracted criticism earlier in the season but Mascherano believes the coach’s determination to rest players throughout the campaign is now bearing fruit.

    “You have to recognise that the coach has done a great job physically and mentally preparing the whole team,” said Mascherano.

    “We have to be aware that we haven’t won anything yet. We’re also a a game away from losing all three titles, so it’s our duty to work up until to the final second of the final game of each competition. We have all our players available and highly motivated for the home stretch.”

    And Mascherano is eagerly anticipating Wednesday’s clash with Bayern, adding: “The little details will be key. It will be a very evenly matched tie and great for the fans to watch.”

    Bayern will be needing to keep a tight leash on Suarez as he prepares to play in his first ever Champions League semi-final against Bayern, with the Uruguayan’s agent Guardiola’s brother, Pere.

    Suarez added: “We just forgot about the Champions League game on the horizon against Cordoba, we knew that the next game is always the most important and we did everything we could to snatch all three points.

    “Now we need to put this match in the back of our minds and focus on the Champions League tie with Bayern Munich. It’s a very important game and we are striving for so much this season.” 

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