Barcelona forward Luis Suarez has backed his side to go on and beat Chelsea at the Nou Camp after Lionel Messi’s crucial equaliser helped to end the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in a draw.
The Argentine struck with 15 minutes to go to cancel out Willian’s opener, swinging the balance firmly in the Catalans’ favour.
And Messi’s strike partner believes the crucial away goal has handed Ernesto Valverde’s side the initiative they need in order to get the job done at home next month.
Luis Suarez believes Lionel Messi’s equaliser has handed Barcelona a massive advantage
Messi struck just 15 minutes before time to ensure Barca came away with a share of the spoils
‘It was a beneficial goal for the second leg to have more space at the Nou Camp,’ Suarez said, via Marca.
‘Our strength is being better at home, that’s why it was important to score.
‘Now they have to try to score at the Camp Nou and we’ll have more space.’
Antonio Conte’s men were well drilled and his defence hounded Barca’s wealth of attacking options.
The Uruguayan believes Chelsea will afford them more space at the Nou Camp
The only blot on an otherwise squeaky-clean night for the west Londoners was Andreas Christensen’s errant pass which led to Barcelona’s equaliser.
For the majority of the tie, however, Barca’s forwards were kept relatively quiet, but Suarez insisted he did not feel isolated.
‘I didn’t feel alone up front,’ he added. ‘In these games you have to be intelligent and look for the best solution.
‘Seeing that Leo couldn’t create chances, he dropped a bit deeper to find spaces.’
Chelsea travel to the Nou Camp for the second leg on March 14.
Suarez insisted he did not feel isolated in the tie after Chelsea’s brilliant defensive effort
