El Clasico: Barca star trio shining just at the right moment

Catalans face Real Madrid in a match which could possibly decide the league winner

BARCELONA: Barcelona had to wait nearly three months to unveil their shiny new toy this season as club record signing Luis Suarez sat on the sidelines, suspended for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

When Suarez finally was unleashed to form the third part of a star South American triumvirate also featuring Lionel Messi and Neymar, there were a few bumps in the road.

Suarez's debut in the first El Clasico of the season against Real Madrid coincided with the Catalans' first defeat as a rampant Real ran out 3-1 winners.

Worse was to come as Suarez's home bow also ended in a shock defeat to Celta Vigo a week later. The Uruguayan took six games to open his account for the club, and even that was against Cypriot minnows APOEL Nicosia.

Doubts emerged. Were the three compatible? Shouldn't Barca have used their budget to strengthen other more obvious areas of weakness? Five months on those questions seem long forgotten.

A run of 17 wins in 18 games has moved Barca a point clear of Madrid and made them favourites to extend that advantage to four when the European champions visit the Camp Nou on Sunday.

Between them Messi, Suarez and Neymar have racked up a colossal return of 82 goals and 47 assists so far this campaign, and have Barca on course to repeat the historic treble won in Pep Guardiola's first season in charge.

Moreover, they have out-gunned Madrid's own three-pronged attack of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

Crucially, the presence of Suarez and Neymar has created the space for Messi to rekindle the form which made him World Player of the Year four times in succession between 2009 and 2012.

"For most people, he [Messi] is the best player in the world by a long way for everything that he does on the field. He does things other players can't do," said Suarez.

Messi was at his majestic best as Barca eased past Manchester City in midweek to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for an eighth consecutive season.

The Argentine's nutmeg to leave James Milner lying on his backside instantly went viral and even left Guardiola — on his first visit to the Camp Nou since leaving the club three years ago — in awe.

"There are times when he passes you the ball which you weren't expecting because there are so many legs in between," added Suarez. "All you can do is enjoy it and take advantage of having the opportunity to play with this class of player."

 

Clash important but not decisive: Enrique

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has insisted that his side's crucial top of the table clash with Real Madrid on Sunday will not be the sole determining factor in the La Liga title race.

The Catalans lead Madrid by a point and are favourites to extend that advantage on home soil after a run of 17 wins in 18 games in all competitions.

However, with Barca still set to face the likes of Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla in the final 10 games of the season, Enrique believes there will be more twists and turns to come after this weekend.

"Independent of the result I don't think it will be decisive," said Enrique. "There are still 10 games to go and there are too many difficult games for both teams, so it is not decisive but important."

 

 

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