Luis Suárez: “We have to be self-critical”

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The Uruguayan striker said the team needs to improve

Luis Suárez has called on his team to be self-critical and concentrate as the end of the season draws near, in an interview with the Barcelona press.

“We have to be self-critical and prepare ourselves for what is to come.” the forward said.

La Liga is almost out of reach, unless Real Madrid were to drop points in both of their remaining matches. However, the UEFA Champions League is still very much alive, with a second leg against Napoli first on the agenda.

“The dynamic we showed against Villarreal is the right way forward. When we fight for important things, such as the Champions League, the thing we have left, if we are at 150%, we can achieve our objective,” he said.

Barcelona won 4-1 against one of La Liga’s best teams since the restart, inspiring some to think perhaps this version of Barça was turning the corner. However that match was followed up with two relatively tame 1-0 wins.

“The match against Villarreal was a message: if we want to do it, we can do it. It’s true that against Espanyol, we lowered our level, and we have to be self-critical.

“If those of who are in the squad, perform to the height that allowed us to be in the club in the first place, we can put up a fight against anyone. A mistake in a match can cost us a lot, that’s why we have to be alert, and we need everyone to contribute for us to achieve the Champions League.”

Suárez also responded to the idea that Real Madrid were helped by refereeing mistakes or VAR controversies: “To minimize the impact of VAR sometimes is difficult. Gerard Piqué and the president [Josep Maria Bartomeu] made their case publicly. I believe other teams that are fighting for important things were also harmed, such as Athletic Bilbao and Getafe... they were damaged. In that occasion it wasn’t just us who were hurt. But I believe we can’t look for too many excuses, we have to be self-critical and face reality.

“In La Liga we have to be self-critical, we let it go ourselves. We are conscious that we depended on ourselves and we can’t look for any excuses.”

Source: barcablaugranes.com