Former Barcelona player and Blaugrana legend Luis Suarez criticised manager Luis Enrique’s decision to use new summer arrival Paco Alcacer in a wide role in Barcelona’s recent Champions League clash against German side Borussia Monchengladbach. The Catalan club won the match after goals from Turkish star Arda Turan and Gerard Pique.
Alcacer was brought to the Camp Nou from league rivals Valencia in the summer to provide cover for the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar. Since the switch from the Mestalla to the Camp Nou, Alcacer has rarely been impressive spearheading the attack. The striker is yet to play a full 90 minutes in the Barcelona colors and hasn’t scored for his new club yet.
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Luis Suarez, former Ballon d’Or winner who played for Barcelona under Domingo Balmanya and Helenio Herrera in the mid-1950s, thinks the young striker needs to relax while playing for Barcelona. "He has to be more relaxed,” said Suarez in a Cadena SER program “La Graderia”.
The Barcelona legend also thinks Alcacer is not suitable for a wider role and it was a mistake by Enrique to start him on the right side. “Luis Enrique made a mistake at the start [with the positioning of Alcacer], but his changes helped."
The former Spanish international player also revealed doubts on his former team over the UEFA Champions League game against Borussia Monchengladbach. "It was a strange game," Suarez said. "They played worse in the first half, but that was when they had more clear chances,” he further added.
Also read: Spain's 23-man squad announced, Cesc Fabregas dropped but Isco makes the cut
Alcacer struggles when put on one side
Suarez also revealed that he noticed anxiousness in the striker’s game on last Wednesday. "If you put him out to one side, he gets lost. I saw he was a bit anxious. He wants to do so many things that in the end he ends up doing none of them.”
The 23-year-old new signing has now started four games for Barcelona but is yet to score his a goal for the Catalans. Alcacer was substituted in three out of four games he has played till now and did not impress in either.
Underperforming midfielder Arda Turan scored the equaliser for Barcelona in the second half against the Borussia Monchengladbach. Talking about how a player needs to be calm and relaxed playing for Barcelona Suarez told, “This year he’s doing well, more certain, calmer. He plays well in any position and scores important goals.”
Following Paco Alcacer’s recent dip in form, Spain national team manager Julen Lopetegui has left the striker out of his squad for the games against Italy and Albania.
Barcelona will face Celta Vigo in a league match next week and Alcacer is desperate to regain his lost form against the La Liga side.
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