Barcelona, Nov 19 (IANS) Barcelona striker Luis Suarez believes that his side is not the favourite to win Saturday’s “Clasico” football match at the Santiago Bernabeu, although they lead the La Liga standings.
“You never know what might happen. You could be on your best form but then nothing goes quite to plan,” Efe quoted Suarez as saying in a press conference on Wednesday.
“Everyone knows that it’s not easy to beat Madrid at the Bernabeu,” acknowledged the Uruguay international.
Barcelona will miss the efforts of Argentinian star Lionel Messi, who has been recovering from a left knee injury for the last eight weeks.
“Messi can change the game and he’s done incredible things in previous Clasicos. But it depends on the doctors and what they think is best for him,” Suarez pointed out.
“He has looked good while training with us over the last few days but it’s an injury that could take a sudden turn for the worse,” Suarez cautioned in reference to Messi.
During the absence of Messi, Suarez and Neymar have helped their team lead La Liga and the European Champions League group with their goals.
“Of course Leo is the best because of what he’s done and what he continues to do. Neymar is on spectacular form and you could easily say that he’s the second best player in the world,” Suarez declared.
“As a teammate, I’m proud to see him playing so well and doing what he’s doing.”
Barcelona have 27 points from 11 matches — three more than Real and a win on Saturday will pull the Catalan giants further clear at the top. However, Suarez thinks that there is still a lot to play for before the championship is decided.
“I don’t think we’ll have won the league if we go six points ahead of them, it’s still too early to say who is going to win it,” the 28-year-old warned his teammates.
“The league is going to be a long one and Atletico (23 points) will be up there too, so this game won’t decide anything.”
Suarez also talked about his return to his national team after his suspension ended on Tuesday, emphasising that “at last I’m free”.
“My teammates have done a brilliant job and I’d like to congratulate them publicly,” Suraez proclaimed.
