Consigned to the bench as Barcelona took on Almeria at Los Juegos Mediterraneos on Saturday, Luis Suarez was a half-time replacement after Thievy Bifouma’s neat finish gave the battling but limited Andalusians a surprise 37th-minute lead against the below-par Catalans.
Almeria maintained their advantage until the 73rd minute when Suarez got beyond left-back Sebastian Dubarbier and squared to Neymar, whose scuffed finish beat goalkeeper Ruben Martinez.
Continuing an unselfish display in which he earned 20 EFL points, Suarez attempted to set up Messi, who could have equalled Telmo Zarra’s record of 251 goals in La Liga, but the Argentine was denied by the crossbar. When Barca’s scarcely-deserved winner finally arrived Suarez was again the provider, chipping toward the far post for Jordi Alba to stab into the bottom corner.
The appearance of Suarez in a Barcelona shirt had been long-awaited following his €94m move from Liverpool and subsequent four-month ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in the World Cup in Brazil in the summer. The arrival of Suarez in Luis Enrique’s matchday squad has coincided with Barcelona’s impressive early-season form coming to a stuttering halt.
Despite his often controversial behaviour on the pitch, there is no argument with his record. Prior to his arrival at Camp Nou, Suarez had been on target 220 times in 363 club appearances for Nacional, Groningen, Ajax and Liverpool. His debut contribution in the Clasico at Santiago Bernabeu in October, however, was largely low-key.
Suarez did make an early impact, setting up Neymar to open the scoring for Barca in the fourth minute, only for Real Madrid to triumph 3-1 over their biggest rivals with some ease.
He was also involved in the Catalans’ improbable 1-0 defeat against Celta Vigo at Camp Nou. Despite lining up alongside Neymar and Messi, as he had against Real Madrid, Suarez was frustrated as none of his four shots on target were converted into goals.
On the winning side against his former club as Barcelona overcame Ajax 2-0 in Amsterdam, Suarez unexpectedly found himself among Enrique’s substitutes on Saturday as the Coach appeared to take his opponents too lightly. Despite their poor recent run – Saturday’s defeat was their fourth in succession – Almeria are a much tougher nut to crack these days.
Almost four years ago to the day they capitulated 8-0 to Barcelona at Los Juegos Mediterraneos, a result that included a Messi hat-trick and cost then Almeria boss Juanma Lillo his job.
Enrique’s selection saw Munir El Haddadi, Adriano, Marc Bartra and Rafinha all included in the starting line-up but the introduction of Suarez alongside Neymar at half-time, and of Xavi Hernandez later on, was undoubtedly the turning point and rescued that game for La Blaugrana.
There is sure to be more to come from Suarez. Barca fans will be hoping it arrives sooner rather than later for their faltering team.
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