How Suarez proved a menace without Messi in Barcelona's Clasico win

Aditya Devavrat 07:31 29/10/2018
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  • Luis Suarez was the star of the show for Barcelona.

    All the talk in the build-up to Sunday’s El Clasico was about the absences of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Yet there was still a pedigreed goalscorer with a history of good performances in this fixture, and Luis Suarez reminded everyone what he’s capable of, scoring a superb hat-trick in Barcelona‘s dominant 5-1 win.

    The Uruguayan tormented Real Madrid throughout, and quite possibly ended manager Julen Lopetegui’s tenure in charge of the club.

    Here’s a closer look at the striker’s performance.

    KEY STATS

    Goals – 3

    Shots – 5

    Shots On Target – 4

    Key Passes – 2

    Dribbles – 0

    Touches – 50

    Fouls – 5

    Fouled – 2

    30-SECOND REPORT

    Starting in his usual position leading the line in a front three alongside Philippe Coutinho and Messi ‘replacement’ Rafinha, Suarez showcased all the attributes that makes him one of the world’s best strikers.

    His finishes were of unerring skill and accuracy – a precise penalty, a beautifully placed header, and a clever dink over Thibaut Courtois on the run.

    Just as crucial was his work rate, as he harried Madrid’s back-line throughout and provided an out ball every time Barcelona attacked.

    GOT RIGHT

    Finishing

    It goes without saying on a day a striker scores a hat-trick that his finishing was on point, but these were three high-quality goals. The penalty was placed expertly into the corner, evading the tall Thibaut Courtois’ finger’s even as he guessed the right way and got down early. His header for the second was an exquisite flick from a long way out, and the third finish, a little chip to finish on the run, was the icing on the cake. A masterclass.

    Movement and work rate

    Just as impressive was Suarez’s work off the ball. His movement was lethal, as he gave both Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos a thorough working over, pulling the two Madrid centre-backs out of position before exploiting the spaces. Ramos had one of his worst games in a Madrid shirt, and Suarez was a big reason for that.

    Meanwhile, his effort leading the press, never letting any Madrid players in his vicinity settle on the ball, helped Barcelona dominate possession in the first half.

    VERDICT

    No Messi, no problem. This is the sort of fixture in which Suarez needed to step up in the absence of Barcelona’s talisman, and he did so with aplomb. Statements don’t come much louder than scoring a hat-trick in club football’s biggest rivalry, while leading your team to an utterly dominant victory.

    There have been whispers of Suarez’s abilities waning over the last season or so. That talk should be completely silenced by this performance.

    RATING – 10/10

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