Given the way in which Barcelona succumbed to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup, their incredibly exciting start to the season has surprised many, however, the more positive change in atmosphere at the Camp Nou has been tempered by the hamstring injury to Ousmane Dembele.
Five wins out of five in the league and a Champions League destruction of Juventus, has also masked Luis Suarez’s lack of form to a degree. Ditto the goalscoring exploits of Lionel Messi and the introduction of Paulinho. Headline writers are busy elsewhere, rather than pulling apart El Pistolero’s unusual lack of goals.
Suarez is far from the player we know he can be at this stage and though it’s only five games in, Ernesto Valverde’s decision to bring Messi back into the false nine position could have repercussions for the Uruguayan.
The Catalans have looked comfortable in every game bar Getafe, and even then they were able to see the game out successfully. Therefore, to make a cogent argument against Valverde’s decisions thus far is very difficult. The bottom line is that Suarez is remunerated handsomely to stick the ball in the onion bag and he’s only managed it once so far in 2017/18 – a 90th-minute fifth against Espanyol.
It’s clear that the striker prefers to inhabit the central areas as that’s where he knows he can do the most damage. Sitting slightly off of Messi, even if it gives the Argentinian more potency, isn’t a natural role for Suarez to play and that can be seen in his more awkward and natural movement in and around the penalty box.
Like all players, however good, he thrives on confidence and for him, this is derived by putting goals in his account. Valverde will give Suarez the time he needs to adapt to the new system, but the Uruguayan may need to accept that this season won’t be as prolific as the last couple, given that Messi has already become the focal point of the coach’s plans.
His age, experience and maturity at least ensure that deferring to the Argentinian is acceptable practice and that Valverde doesn’t have a situation on his hands similar to the one between Neymar and Edinson Cavani at Paris Saint-Germain.
What’s of more concern is that Barcelona have had a ‘soft’ start, with respect. A trip to Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano is just three weeks away and then the bigger fixtures come thick and fast.
Time for the real Luis Suarez to stand up and be counted.
