Luis Suarez has revealed that he wished he didn’t play against Leganes prior to the humiliating Roma loss.
In a recent interview with Catalan radio RAC1, Barcelona striker Luis Suárez spoke on many subjects including Lionel Messi and his ambition to lift the Champions League title, Antoine Griezmann’s surprise stay at Atletico Madrid and the painful defeat against Roma.
The defeat that still lingers
Despite being in the third week of this year’s edition of LaLiga Santander, last season’s unexpected loss to Roma in the quarterfinals of the Champions League continues to be a severe wound for the Blaugrana. And Suárez is one of the victims, who have suffered from the painful knockout by the Serie A club, admitting he should have never featured in the league match prior to the ‘final’ against the Italians.
On April 10, 2018, Barcelona were left in ruins after Roma pulled off a surprising victory to qualify for the semifinals. For those who don’t remember, Barcelona claimed a convincing 4-1 win in the first leg at the Camp Nou, but the second leg changed everything. Three goals from the Italians handed Eusebio Di Francesco’s men the golden ticket, as they celebrated with absolute joy, while the Catalans were left picking up the pieces.
Although Barça had a great advantage heading into the second leg, the Blaugrana failed to showcase their talents and skills, leading to Lionel Messi and company crashing out of the European competition at that stage for the third consecutive time. A painful and surprising loss that still lingers on Suarez’s mind, as he now regrets playing against Leganes days before the big game.
"“I really regret the game last year against Leganés at home, I played the whole game when we had many advantage points and in three days we had the final against Roma,” the Uruguayan forward confessed."
However, despite his big regret, Suárez has kicked off the season in great form already netting a brace against newly promoted side Huesca.
The Uruguayan striker, who hopes to bring home the Champions League trophy this year also had some words for Frenchman Antoine Griezmann. During the summer market, the current World Champion was nearing a move to Barcelona but ultimately took a U-turn in the final moments, deciding to stay put at Atletico Madrid.
"“It was a surprise that Griezmann did not come. He has won respect for everyone and his decision is respectable. A separate issue is what he had talked with the club.”"
Finally, the striker and the best friend/neighbour of Lionel Messi confessed the rivals in the first round of the Champions League will be difficult, but that it will also be a good test to get the team prepared for future decisive battles.
"“It’s very difficult to win the Champions League. We do not rely solely on Messi, behind him there is a collective job. We have to be a compact team and work for Messi all the more. He deserves more Champions than he has. ”“We have quality, a strong squad, and a great coach to win the Champions League. The quality that we have must be valued because it is spectacular. We have to put this quality on the field in order to win titles.”“The ambition is part of what Messi is and, like him, we want to win everything. Responsibility is not only assumed by him, we all assume it. We all want to win the Champions League.”"
Suarez will be key to any Barcelona success in Europe because they need his goals to propel them to the latter stages and take some of the burden off Messi. Four goals in 19 matches over the past two seasons is a poor return for such as talented striker, and contrasts with the 15 goals in 19 games from the previous two seasons.