Barcelona: Luis Suarez made his first appearance for Barcelona after his move from Liverpool for a reported 95 million euros (£75 million, $127 million) as the Catalans hammered Mexican side Club Leon 6-0 in a friendly.
The Uruguayan striker, who won’t be able to play in a competitive game for Barca until October after his appeal against a fourth-month ban for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup was rejected last week, replaced Rafinha Alcantara 14 minutes from time.
Barca were already leading 4-0 thanks to goals from Lionel Messi, Munir El Haddadi and a double from Neymar before Munir and Sandro rounded off the scoring.
Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizaretta said that they would give him time to get used to his new surroundings.
“We will give him (Suarez) the time so that he can see he is integrating into the team and he will adapt to the team in training,” he told Barca TV.
“He will get to know our style of play and with his quality he will help us. His teammates will get to know him and the idea is that when he returns, he does so at 100 percent.”
Midfielder Andres Iniesta believes last season’s Premier League Player of the Year will not have any difficulty adapting to life alongside Messi and Neymar in attack.
“It is never easy when you come from another club, but, as I have said before, I think he will find a very healthy dressing room and I think he will adapt fine, because his talent is above everything else,” he said.
Despite his controversial past, which includes 2 bans for biting as well as a suspension for racially abusing Patrice Evra, Suarez was warmly received by the home fans. (IANS)
