UEFA Champions League 2018/19: Top 5 performers from matchday 3

Rafinha played brilliantly in the newly assigned role

#3 Luis Suarez

The Uruguayan striker was phenomenal on the pitch against Inter. During Lionel Messi’s absence, he was the leader of the attack. People had written Suarez off prior to the start of this season but he is proving all his critics wrong.

Suarez was brilliant against Inter. He didn’t just wait to pounce on the ball like a goal poacher but he made plays, created opportunities and assisted once as well. He had an early chance at goal thanks to to Arthur’s lobbed ball but he didn’t get the contact right.

Suarez passed amazingly and made good linkups with Rafinha and Alba. He played good return passes to Alba and Coutinho time and again. One major highlight in his passing was the exquisite backheel to Rafinha, which created a scoring opportunity for the Brazilian.

Suarez was ultimately involved in Barcelona’s first goal. Rafinha passed to him when he was lurking in the right wing. He didn’t attempt to pass immediately, or dribble. He looked for movement of other players. Once he saw the run inside, without giving a clue to the defence, he delightfully lobbed the ball over that was finished by Rafinha.

In the second half, Suarez created a goal-scoring opportunity for himself. He swiftly turned towards the goal while Asamoah was pressing him. He made his way inside the box and came straight up against Miranda and turned away from him as well. He created enough space to shoot but the save from Handanovic denied him his much-deserved goal.

Suarez also tried a cheeky free-kick under the wall that was saved by the great sliding block from Brozovic. He was good in passing, dribbling and off the ball positioning. He hardly lost the ball and looked in good form.

The only thing that separates Suarez now from the Suarez at his prime is the lack of killer finishing.

Edited by Sagnik Mallick