Luis Suárez: We are still hopeful in the league

After FC Barcelona’s comfortable 3-0 win over Sevilla at home in the league, Luis Suárez insists that the team are still optimistic about their chances of overhauling league leaders Real Madrid.

The Uruguayan opened the scoring against Jorge Sampaoli’s side to kick start a victory that takes Barça temporarily to the top of the table in La Liga. “The team are still confident about our chances,” said Suárez shortly after the final whistle at a rainy Camp Nou. “In the games that remain the mentality has to be a winning one in order to get our fate back in our own hands.”

The Barça number 9 scored a spectacular overhead kick early in the first half to give his side the lead. “The ball was coming towards me and it was the only way of getting it in. I am just happy with the win,” explained the striker. “Being a striker you always know where the goal is and where the ball is to be able to find the net.”

“It’s a weapon that strikers use in the penalty area and it allowed us to take the lead”

The victory against Sevilla was the second in a row for Luis Enrique’s team since the recent international break. “We are used to long trips as players but we know now we have to be at our best for the final week of the season and the Champions League,” admitted Suárez with games against Málaga and Juventus coming up in the next seven days for the team.

Barça coach Luis Enrique chose to highlight his team’s first half performance against Sevilla in which they scored all three of their goals in the win. “Probably we have put in the best first half performance of the season,” said the coach. “I am happy because it is a positive victory over a great team and because of how we controlled the game.”

The former Barça player turned coach described Luis Suárez as “the best centre forward in the world,” after his performance against Sevilla. “He has that ability to know where the goal is at all times,” concluded Luis Enrique.

Finally, he had kind words for Camp Nou debutant Carles Aleñá. “He knows what he has to do and he will be an interesting player. He has a lot to learn but he is in the best place.”