Luis Suarez ready to fight for Barcelona place and prove doubters wrong - just like Kroos, Modric and Ramos at Real Madrid


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Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez insists he still has plenty to offer Barcelona and has warned against writing him off, using a trio from rivals Real Madrid as examples of players who successfully bounced back from similar criticism.

After a first trophyless season in 12 years, Barcelona are expected to make drastic changes to their squad this summer, with much of the old guard being allowed to leave the club.

Suarez, 33, is thought to be one of those players after Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu excluded the forward from his list of eight names that would not be leaving the Camp Nou during the off-season.

Since joining Barcelona from Liverpool in 2014, Suarez has been a resounding success for the Catalan giants, scoring 198 goals in 283 appearances across all competitions and playing a key role in four La Liga titles, four Copa del Reys, and the Champions League and Club World Cup titles in 2015. He is Barcelona's third-highest goalscorer in history.

However, the 2019/20 campaign was the least prolific of Suarez's Barca career, the Uruguayan scoring 21 goals, including 16 in La Liga.

It has led to talk of decline, but Suarez has moved to defend himself and used Real Madrid as a case in point after Barca's great rivals were unceremoniously dumped out of the 2018/19 Champions League by Ajax only to bounce back and clinch La Liga the following season.

"I remember that in Madrid, the year that Ajax eliminated them from the Champions League, they said that [Toni] Kroos was finished, they wanted to retire [Luka] Modric and they said that [Sergio] Ramos was a disaster. The following year, everything went better for them and again they formed a legendary team," Suarez said in an interview with El Pais.

For so long Barcelona's undisputed No 9 and Lionel Messi's trusted sidekick, Suarez said he wants to remain at the club and fight for his place, even if that means he is no longer the automatic first choice striker.

"Throughout my career I have accepted to be a substitute. I would have no problem in being one again. The competition is healthy and if the coach considers that I should do it from the bench I have no problem," he said.

"I would like to stay at Barca as long as they want to count on me. I want to contribute. I have felt the support of the people since I arrived and that motivates me a lot.

"No one at the club has told me that they want to be without my services. I want the best for the team and my intention is to continue."

Change is already afoot at Barcelona, who moved swiftly to sack manager Quique Setien and sporting director Eric Abidal just days after the 8-2 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Ronald Koeman has been installed as the new manager and the Dutchman quickly added former Barca player Henrik Larsson to his coaching staff.

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last-16 second leg
Paris Saint-Germain (1) v Borussia Dortmund (2)
Kick-off: Midnight, Thursday, March 12
Stadium: Parc des Princes
Live: On beIN Sports HD

Specs – Taycan 4S
Engine: Electric

Transmission: 2-speed auto

Power: 571bhp

Torque: 650Nm

Price: Dh431,800

Specs – Panamera
Engine: 3-litre V6 with 100kW electric motor

Transmission: 2-speed auto

Power: 455bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: from Dh431,800

THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

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Q&A with Dash Berlin

Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.

You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.

You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.

Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.

 

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Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae