These six years [at Barca] have been wonderful [for Suarez]. His colleagues have received him with enthusiasm we hope he adapts as soon as possible.
We all know him – he s a great reference for the team. Given the option that Alvaro had of being able to leave, the best way to continue improving was to look for someone who could improve on Alvaro s scoring contribution, and when the option of Suarez appeared, what was I going to say? His numbers speak for themselves.
We were lucky that when we had a very good [Radamel] Falcao, a very good [Diego] Costa or a very good [Antoine] Griezmann, we came close to fighting for everything. Let s hope that with Luis Suarez it will be like that and we can overcome what we did last season.
Atletico finished third in LaLiga last term, 17 points adrift of a Real Madrid side that, while certainly solid, was hardly spectacular as they clinched the title.
Six teams – including Sunday s visitors Granada – scored more than Atletico in 2019-20, but Simeone feels things will be different with Suarez having a point to prove.
I m going to be sincere with you, he was convinced that this was the place where he could show that he was a top-notch forward, Simeone added. I found what I was looking for for this club – ambition and a desire to be here.
Hopefully he will give us back the options we had when we had the best Falcao, the best Costa or the best Griezmann. That would mean getting closer to the successes that all fans want.
