Suarez Scores Four As Barcelona Return To The Top

Luis Suarez scored his second consecutive four-goal haul as Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga with victory over Sporting Gijon.

Victories for Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid earlier on Saturday had left Barca third by kick-off.

Lionel Messi’s looping header into an empty net gave Barca the lead.

Suarez made it 2-0 before Barca won three late penalties, the Uruguayan scoring two and Neymar the other, and Suarez converted Messi’s pass late on.

Sporting had Ognjen Vranjes harshly sent off for conceding the third penalty for a foul on Neymar.

Striker Suarez also scored four in Wednesday’s 8-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna.

Barca over their crisis?

At the start of April, Barcelona were nine points clear at the top of La Liga – and unbeaten in 39 games.

But losing to Real in El Clasico sparked a disastrous run of one win in six games, allowing the Madrid clubs to close the gap, while Atletico knocked them out of the Champions League.

However, 14 unanswered La Liga goals in four days have taken them to within three wins of successfully defending their title.

They are level on points with Atletico and one point above Real, with their head-to-head record meaning they will edge out either Madrid side if they finish the league equal on points.

Unstoppable Suarez?

Pichichi

Luis Suarez took control of the race for the Pichichi – the Spanish golden boot – with his second quadruple of the week.

He now leads Real’s currently injured star Cristiano Ronaldo 34-31 with three games left.

Suarez’s fellow Uruguayan Diego Forlan is the last player other than Ronaldo or Messi to win the award – back in 2008-09.

The former Liverpool striker had a hand in the opener, putting keeper Ivan Cuellar under pressure before the ball came to Messi, who headed a looping effort into the empty net from 18 yards.

Barca’s second did not come until the 63rd minute when Suarez converted Andres Iniesta’s pass – possibly from an offside position.

Suarez scored their first penalty after Roberto Canella handled Dani Alves’ cross. His hat-trick goal came from the spot after Antonio Sanabria shoved over Neymar.

Barcelona got a third penalty when Vranjes was deemed to have pushed Neymar, and was sent off for a second booking.

Out-of-form Neymar this time took the penalty, and scored down the centre, with keeper Cuellar almost keeping it out.

But Suarez still had time for his fourth when he fired home Messi’s pass via the post.

BBC

Suarez Scores Four As Barcelona Return To The Top

Neymar, Suarez Bet Ahead Of Brazil-Uruguay Clash

Luis Suarez has revealed that he and Barcelona teammate Neymar have a culinary wager riding on their imminent match up, as Brazil face off Uruguay in Recife on Friday evening in South American World Cup qualifying.

The club teammates will face off for their countries, with Suarez representing his country for the first time since the 2014 World Cup after serving a 10 match ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at that tournament.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Suarez revealed that he and Neymar have made a friendly bet on the outcome, “I have a bet with Neymar. The winner gets a burger. He is a great team-mate and we always make jokes at Barcelona.

“But whoever will win this game will be enjoying himself and he who loses will be hearing it from the other. Above all, we are team-mates and friends.”

Uruguay sit in second place in CONMEBOL qualifying, with Brazil back in 4th having already played tough away games in Chile and Argentina, Ecuador are the surprise pace setters in first place. The top four teams qualify for the World Cup in CONMEBOL qualifying.

Credit: Sambafoot

Neymar, Suarez Bet Ahead Of Brazil-Uruguay Clash

Suarez: I Won"t Change My Attitude

Uruguay’s all-time leading goalscorer Luis Suarez is set to play his first competitive game for the national team in over 16 months.

Luis Suarez said he will not change the way he plays but admits he must be more intelligent ahead of his return to competitive international football.

Suarez is preparing to play a competitive match for Uruguay for the first time since the 2014 World Cup after he was found guilty of biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

The 29-year-old was subsequently banned for nine games – and suspended from all football-related activities for four months – and missed Uruguay’s Copa America campaign in 2015 as well as the first four games of their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.

As he gets set to face Brazil in his international comeback on Friday, Suarez said he has no plans to change the way he plays.

“I will continue with the same attitude, and arguing, because that’s the way I play,” the Barcelona forward said.

“But with the same moderation that you’ve been seeing now [at Barca]. I have to be more intelligent in many things.

“I want to make the most of the opportunities that life gives me, do the best I can and enjoy my return with the national team and the affection of the people.”

Uruguay will be without Diego Godin and Maxi Pereira, opening up the opportunity for Suarez to be given the responsibility of captain.

“The armband is important, but how the new Luis is, if I am captain it will be welcomed and I will be proud, but if not then it’s the same,” he said.

Uruguay are second in the 10-team South American qualifying group following three wins in their first four games.

Credit: Goal.com

Suarez: I Won"t Change My Attitude

Woodwork Denies Messi, Suarez And Neymar In Draw Aginst Espanyol

Espanyol Hold Barcelona To A Goalles Draw; ‘MSN’ Failed To Score, Yes They Did!

Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw by a city rivals, Espanyol on Saturday afternoon at Cornellà-El Prat.

 

The game like all derbies was very intense and fiesty as both teams were tangling each other especially during corners and free kicks. Barcelona hit the post in each half, but Espanyol battled the whole way to frustrate their city rivals and earn a point in front of their new Chinese owner.

Messi under check from Espanyol defenders

Manager Luis Enrique reverted back to his full-strength starting XI, with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez in attack but Espanyol showed plenty of gust to start, with Ecuadorian striker Felipe Caicedo in particular posing as the danger man. But it was Barcelona who had the first real look at goal when Alba fluffed a ninth minute chance at the back post.

Luis Suarez battles for the ball against an Espanyol defender

Espanyol stayed difficult to beat as ever, frustrating the Barcelona forward, while using the push of the home crowd to move forward on the counter.

Neymar beats Espanyol defender

Neymar tried breaking the deadlock with a scissor-kick side volley in the 75th minute, and Messi missed with an 89th minute free kick, while at the other end Espanyol nearly stole a late win with Marco Asensio all alone at the back post, but the cross was too heavily for the Real Madrid loanee.

 

These same two teams will renew acquaintances on Wednesday in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.

Woodwork Denies Messi, Suarez And Neymar In Draw Aginst Espanyol