El Pistolero is still firing for Barcelona

Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Luis Suarez not yet a busted flush

Before this match kicked off, supporters had already rounded on Ernesto Valverde because of his team selection.

The absences of Arthur and Antoine Griezmann had the Camp Nou faithful and the Twittersphere go into meltdown, but both decisions weren’t without merit given the fixtures ahead.

Another injury to Ousmane Dembele has ensured Griezmann will have a few weeks to finally bed down into his role, whilst Ivan Rakitic is unlikely to keep his place meaning a swift return for Arthur.

LATEST NEWS❗️ @Dembouz has a right thigh injury. He will undergo testing to determine the exact extent of the injury. #BarçaBVB pic.twitter.com/eCublctRHN

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 27, 2019

One player who has also been much maligned of late fully justified his inclusion - even if Luis Suarez is still almost certainly assured of his place however poor his form is.

He can be doing nothing for the majority of a game, but give him a sniff of a goal and he’s still amongst the world’s best finishers.

Age has wearied him in terms of his lack of pace, but it hasn’t diminished his goal scoring instincts, because even before his opener, a marginal - but correct - offside decision denied him a first of the night.

Leo Messi’s intervention handed the Uruguayan the perfect opportunity to receive the accolades shortly after, before Suarez quickly returned the favour.

GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! @LuisSuarez9 slots in with an assist from Leo #Messi! ! pic.twitter.com/dtqvy1ffXo

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 27, 2019

It’s been heavily rumoured that El Pistolero will soon be off to MLS and will spearhead David Beckham’s Inter Miami side.

The player himself has even admitted that a move to the USA is of interest. Furthermore, he is on board with Barca’s plan to bring in a younger centre-forward for some much-needed competition.

But is he being put out to pasture a little too early?

With 10 goals in all competitions already in 2019/20, he’s keeping pace with the best in Europe without even breaking sweat.

Luis Suarez has now reached double figures in goals in each of his last 15 seasons.

An impressive record.
#BarçaBVB pic.twitter.com/DYAubhul8P

— Rakan (@r2_1q) November 27, 2019

Add the nous that he has in the striking role to those figures, and there’s not another centre-forward I’d rather see wearing the Blaugrana No.9.

If Barcelona are to be successful this season, both domestically and in Europe, then Suarez is every bit as important as any other component in the team.

There’s been a lot written about Griezmann not playing centrally and Valverde therefore not getting the best of him, but it’s clear that he’s not a striker in the Suarez mould.

That being a pure No.9 who knows where the goal is and doesn’t need asking twice to deliver.

When all is said and done, that’s surely all we want from the barrel-chested front man isn’t it? Or should loftier expectations be levelled in his direction?

Source: barcablaugranes.com