'Even kicking Suarez will not stop him' - River Plate winger Sanchez fears Barcelona hitman

Luis Suarez celebrating the second of his three goals against Guangzhou Evergrande

River Plate winger Carlos Sanchez, is wary of the threat Barcelona striker Luiz Suarez provides in front of goal and believes that even kicking the Uruguayan can’t keep him down. “Even kicking Suarez will not stop him. Because even then, he does not stay down,” he told La Nacion. “I talk to him all the time, every day. Even here in Japan. We make jokes and they stay between ourselves. He wants to win and me too.”

River Plate will face FC Barcelona in the Club World Cup final on Sunday. The tie will also witness the face-off between Luis Suarez and Carlos Sanchez, both Uruguayan internationals and friends outside football. Sanchez is well aware of the threat posed by Suarez and believes that it will not be easy stopping the Barcelona hitman as he is in fine form.

The final on Sunday will be Sanchez’s last appearance for River after he signed a deal with Mexican side Monterrey. He wants to make the most out of this chance and said, “It’s a unique moment for me and I wouldn’t change it for anything. It would be ideal that everything finishes with River-Barcelona.”

Suarez thriving in the absence of Messi and Neymar

Suarez powered the Catalans to the finals with a hat-trick against Guangzhou Evergrande and looks in fine goal-scoring nick. River Plate saw off Sanfreece Hiroshima by a goal to ensure their berth in the finals. With Lionel Messi and Neymar likely to miss the final due to injuries, Barcelona will be banking on Suarez and his abilities to find the back of the net.

After the match the former Liverpool man said, “This was for all the group, for Leo, Neymar and everyone who didn’t play. All our players are important, but it was vital that I concentrated so I could win us the game. We know that Messi and Neymar are vital for this team and now all we can do is hope that they recover as soon as possible.”

“We really wanted to play the final and we have got there,” the former Liverpool man said. “We know that South American teams are always strong and tough, and River are no exception. They are one of the biggest clubs in Latin America and they won the Copa Libertadores for a reason. Now we have to prepare for the final in the best way possible so that we can win the trophy which we all, want to win, and the trophy we came here to win.”