5 reasons Barcelona won't reach the UEFA Champions League final in 2018

FC Barcelona v Chelsea FC - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg
Barcelona is a team in top form

#3 Suarez’s struggles

Suarez has struggled to hit the heights of his previous campaigns with Barca
Suarez has struggled to hit the heights of his previous campaigns with Barca

In Luis Enrique’s 4-3-3, Suarez was flanked by Messi and Neymar. In the new formation, without an attacking player on each wing, Suarez has become easier to mark for defenders. He is yet to score in the UEFA Champions League this season having played over 700 minutes (all stats from whoscored.com).

Suarez struggled in the league aswell initially, with 3 goals in his first 11 league matches. With 21 goals in 29 games as this article is being written, his form in the league has markedly improved.

Still, it is a far cry from the Suarez that we used to see in the past 2 years – the Suarez who had established himself as the number one center-forward in the world without dispute. The Suarez who scored 40 league goals in the 2015-16 season.

Can Barcelona reach the UCL Final without Suarez breaking his duck in the competition? Tough prospect.

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