Suarez: night of frustration

Luis Suarez’s Barcelona home debut ended in a shock defeat as Joaquin Larrivey’s solitary strike handed Celta Vigo a famous 1-0 win at the Camp Nou.

Real Madrid took advantage of Barcelona’s slip up to move top of the table as they continued their free-scoring form with a 4-0 thrashing of Granada earlier on Saturday and champions Atletico Madrid are up to second as they eased past Cordoba 4-2 at home.

Just as in his debut defeat against Real at the Bernabeu last weekend, Suarez was left frustrated as Barca hit the woodwork four times and were denied on several more occasions by fine saves from Celta goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez.

“To make my debut in the Camp Nou in a competitive game was nice but the result is negative again,” Suarez told Barca TV.

“We created a lot of chances, but we didn’t have luck on our side. They defended well and their goalkeeper was great.

“Football can be unjust at times, the opponent creates one chance in the whole game and scores and that hurts.”

Neymar smashed an early dipping shot off the crossbar, but Celta were enjoying plenty of the ball and could easily have gone in front if they hadn’t been so wasteful with the final ball.

Barca began to get going midway through the first-half and only a stunning save from Alvarez prevented Lionel Messi equalling the record as La Liga’s all-time leading scorer as his first time hit from Neymar’s cut-back was turned behind.

Even when Messi did beat the Celta ‘keeper moments later he was denied as Jonny made an incredible sliding clearance with a touch of fortune as the ball ricocheted to safety off his own crossbar.

Messi headed over when unmarked from an enticing Suarez cross and Alvarez made another pair of great saves to deny Suarez and Neymar before the break.

Neymar somehow turned Jordi Alba’s cut-back onto the bar once more with the goal at his mercy and Barca were finally hit by a clinical Celta breakaway on 55 minutes as Nolito’s brilliant backheel was swept home first time by Larrivey.

Barca boss Luis Enrique introduced Xavi and Pedro in an attempt to turn the game around and from the latter’s cross Suarez had a golden opportunity to open his account for the club when he headed straight into the arms of Alvarez.