Barcelona: Luis Suarez backed after Olympiacos horrorshow

Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde has backed Luis Suarez after the striker’s poor start to the season reached new heights against Olympiacos on Tuesday evening.

The Uruguayan has scored just three goals in 13 appearances this season, which is significantly less than fans of the Nou Camp club have grown accustomed to since his arrival in 2014.

Suarez’s form took another turn for the worse in the 0-0 stalemate with Olympiacos as he failed to find the back of the net despite having seven attempts on goal, the most he has ever had without scoring for Barcelona.

Following the Champions League group stage match, Valverde was asked whether the form of his star striker was starting to become a concern. Rejecting that notion, he believes it is only a matter of time before the goals start flowing again. 

‘I like this version of Suarez a lot and sometimes the goal depends on one more centimetre to the left or to the right,’ Valverde said.

‘I like that they have chances to score. The success or not will come. I liked the team.’

Suarez had seven shots on goal against the Greek side, but failed to convert any of them

Tuesday’s draw was the first time Barcelona have failed to score in a Champions League group match for five years, but they remain top of their group, ahead of Juventus, and need just one point to seal qualification to the knockout rounds.

While Suarez has struggled without Neymar in the side, Lionel Messi has more than made up for his lack of form, scoring 15 goals and providing four assists already this season.

They are top of La Liga, four points ahead of second-placed Valencia and eight ahead of defending champions Real Madrid.

Ernesto Valverde says he was happy with Barcelona’s performance despite the result