Despite the anticipation huge following his much expected come back and debut at his first ‘Clasico’ with Barcelona, The plan to adopt Luiz Suarez as a mega plan and decisive joker by Luis Enrique seems more like a valiant one, but it backfired as the much anticipated game ended 3-1 in favor of Real Madrid.
Barcelona’s boss, Luis Enrique who had announced in his pre-match press conference on Friday, 24 October, 2014 that Suarez would play some part in the Clasico on Saturday, 25 October, 2014. The Uruguayan, who had only played for 15 minutes in the win over Mexican side Leon in August, 2014 and then played a full 90 as he scored twice in a 6-0 win for Barca B in their friendly against Indonesia’s Under-20 side in September, 2014 did not perform any magic as was hugely expected.
Although Suarez’s performance was commendable as he was able to link up early with Lionel Messi and Neymar and providing the assist for the Brazilian’s early goal with a brilliant cross, as well as is attacking skill and some intelligent running, his long absence and match fitness was evident and he might need a couple of matches more to gain his fitness after the long break from competitive football
Following the series of matches played in La Liga since the past eight matches, Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu is a test of far greater proportions for Barcelona as it is evident the clean sheet that was preserved by Barca since the beginning of the season which had been ousted by the very first challenging game to be played
Speaking to FCB Press Enrique has assured that Suarez brilliant movement and clever passing has suggested he will be a valuable asset to Barcelona, even if Santiago Bernabeu was not the place to start him.
“I don’t regret starting Suarez,” Luis Enrique said after the match. “He’s a very important player for us and he knows all the mechanisms.” He stated.
“Defeats form part of the learning curve for a team,I hope it serves to rectify our mistakes. We’ll keep moving forward” He added.
