Luis Enrique’s current Barcelona side recently equalled the tally of 28 undefeated matches of the famous Barcelona side, under Pep Guardiola. In fact, Luis’ current stats are very much comparable, even better in some aspects, to two of Barcelona’s former managerial greats, Pep Guardiola, and Johan Cruyff.
The credits for the current streak largely go to Suarez being in the form of his life. Not only is he the best number 9 in the world and top scorer of La Liga with 20 goals, but also he is the top scorer of European football with 35 goals.
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Barcelona were defeated back in October by Sevilla but after that Barca’s winning streak continues till date. Messi’s injury was a pivotal point of the season and the two-month break helped Suarez grab the chance to come into the spotlight and lead the team alongside the Brazilian sensation Neymar.
Even upon the return of the legendary Argentine in El Clasico, it was Suarez’s double strikes that stole the show and rewarded a brilliant victory to Barcelona in Santiago Bernabeu. Since then, Suarez has been scoring plenty of goals, surpassing both the current and former Ballon d’Or holders, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo respectively.
Suarez gives Barca the cutting edge
While Suarez’s technicality is mind-blowing, but his work ethics are something unparalleled. Probably, he is the only striker in the world whose work rate is equivalent to that of Jamie Vardy.
Undoubtedly, Messi holds the key to Barcelona’s recent success. His playmaking ability and pinpoint passes, magisterial dribblings, and poetic finishes have crafted a lot of goals for his side.
But the main job of netting the ball is being done mostly by Suarez. Even Messi’s absence wasn’t felt due to Suarez’s ongoing form. Obviously, it’s difficult for the opponent teams to mark all three of the MSN trio. The more the marking for Messi, the greater the free space for Suarez and Neymar to score.
Their efficient utilization of space already listed 80 goals this season, with the major half of the season still remaining to be played. It won’t be surprising if they break their previous record of 122 goals with Suarez scoring the most of them just like Messi did in the previous season.
In the last season, we saw some unselfish acts from Suarez on the pitch. He was involved in more than 120 goals for Barcelona and made some great assists. His off the ball runs, selfless balls to Neymar or Messi are noteworthy, besides his overhead volleys.
In the present season, he is showing his goal scoring abilities from the tightest of spaces. Someone rightly said, “If you want to score first, then learn to assist first.”
Is Messi having a little fatigue?
Maybe, it’s Messi’s injury or a little fatigue that’s forcing him quite often to leave the ball for Suarez or Neymar to score. But, Suarez’s ambition and “finish the job” attitude is praiseworthy.
It’s clear that Messi is facing difficulties to be back to his brilliant best. But Suarez’s transformation benefited Barcelona immensely.
The world class striker has already become a transfer market story, after he was linked with Manchester City. It is being believed that Guardiola’s first transfer market activity for Sky Blues is to lure Suarez from Barcelona.
It’s a fascinating story indeed, that a man who was banned from playing the game a year ago is now the best striker in the world. And the question is already arising, “Is Suarez the new talisman for Barcelona?”
The statement from another Uruguay International C. Rodriguez - “Luis Suarez is better than Messi”- certainly made the question more bold and interesting.
