Qualifying for knockout stages was primary aim, claims Luis Suarez

Barcelona ensured their qualification to the knockout stages of this year’s UEFA Champions League with a thumping 3-1 over Borussia Dortmund. Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi were both on target as the duo scored Barca’s opening goals and combined well to give the German giants a tough time. The 32-year-old scored earlier in the match but it was ruled out for offside, and Suarez was successful at the second time of asking. 

However, with Barcelona paired in the group of death alongside Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund, many expected the La Liga giants to struggle but Suarez admitted that the team’s aim was to win and improve the gameplay. He further added that he had his doubts as to whether the first goal was really offside but knew that he had made no mistake with his run for the second attempt.

“The first goal was to qualify as leaders of the group. We also wanted to improve our play. In the second half, we let ourselves go a little bit with the [three-goal] advantage we had. The second I knew that it was a legal goal. With the first one I had doubts, but I think it was offside,” said Suarez to Marca.

The Lionel Messi-Suarez partnership has been fruitful for years, with the striker putting it down to their relationship. Messi first turned provider for Luis Suarez and then Suarez returned the favour with passing the ball to Messi for him to finish and score at the Nou Camp. The Uruguayan’s stats in the Champions League have dropped in recent years but he put the doubters to rest at least for some time with the outstanding display.

“The coexistence, the day to day, playing a lot of games together for many years. A lot of times you know where each other are going to be, what we do is for the benefit of the team,” concluded the former Liverpool man.