Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Three Goals In 13 Games; What Is Wrong With Barcelona's Luis Suarez?



Barcelona might be cruising to the La Liga title as well as topping their Champions League group yet that is not enough to excite fans of the Catalan club yet considering the poor form of Uruguyian  star striker Luis Suarez who has been abysmal all season with Tuesday night's Champions League away game to Olympiakos making it more serious than previously thought.

Despite having the luxury of playing alongside Lionel Messi, the former Liverpool striker has scored only three goals in 13 appearances across all competitions this season. To make matters worse the striker has failed to score in four Champions League games with the likes of Juventus and Sporting Lisbon the other opponents.

In the goalless draw against the Greek side, Barcelona's second game without scoring a goal in the last 47 Champions League group games, the striker attempted only eight shots of which three were blocked and four off target to show how badly he played all night. To buttress further it is important to look at the Uruguain's impressive goalscoring record in Barcelona. A return of 25 goals in 43 games in his debut season despite waiting until October to make his debut after biting Italy's Chielini in the 2014 World Cup group game is impressive yet not good enough when compared with his 59 goals from 53 games in his second season (2015-2016) leading Barcelona to the treble as well as not forgetting his last season's stat of 37 goals from 51 games last season .

So where did it go all wrong for Suarez? First and foremost while he might be criticised heavily for his loss of form, Suarez appears most affected of all Barcelona players from the loss of attack partner Neymar to PSG as well as the loss of the Brazilian's replacement Ousmane Dembele who assisted Suarez's goal against Espanyol. Having played with the Brazilian since his signing, the former Liverpool striker has found it difficult to move on as well as adapting to Ernesto Valdeva's system. Also to be noted is the knee injury sufferd by the striker in the opening day game with Real Betis and the fact he rushed back  too early in order to be ready for  the World Cup qualifiers for Uruguay soon afterwards. With Valdeva  constantly tinkering with his personnel and system, the end to the striker's goal drought might take longer than expected.

However, with four points ahead of second placed Valencia in La Liga and top of the Champions League as well as defensive solidity, Barcelona fans have every reason to celebrate given their last season's struggles under Luis Enrique at the same time hoping 30-year-old Luiz Suarez hits his best form as soon as possible.

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