Leganes may seem like the kind of side Barca should be beating easily, but the capital club had made a fine start to the season in La Liga and boasted the third-best defensive record in the division prior to this match.
Real Madrid 13/10 to beat Atletico
That is why Barca boss Ernesto Valverde decided to pick his strongest side for this one, even with games against Juventus and Valencia ahead over the next week, and centre-backs Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti both at risk of suspension (the former picked up a booking and will miss the trip to Mestalla).
As in recent weeks, this was more of a pragmatic performance by Barca. It was not brilliant but, again, it was effective and two players ultimately decided it for the Blaugrana: Suarez at one end and Marc-Andre ter Stegen at the other.
The German goalkeeper made a number of fine saves, including a super stop from Alexander Szymanowski late in the first half. Ter Stegen rarely gets the credit he deserves, but the 25-year-old has played a pivotal part in Barca’s defensive improvement this season.
The Catalans have conceded just four goals in the Primera Division so far this term - a club record after 12 rounds of action - and started the day four points ahead of Valencia in second, with Real Madrid (in action against Atletico later on Saturday) eight adrift.
Despite the team’s fine form, Suarez had been one worry for Valverde. The Uruguayan had not scored for Barca since heading the leveller away to Atletico in October and had gone five matches without a goal in total.
The South American had never failed to convert for six successive games in a Barca shirt and that record remains intact.
His first goal came after Leganes goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar spilled a shot from Paco Alcacer in the first half, his second deflected in after the Spain striker had another effort parried, following a lovely pass by Lionel Messi.
Suarez celebrated that one by pumping his fist in front of Cuellar and the Uruguayan was also booked for pushing the goalkeeper when Leganes looked to start a quick counter-attack.
This was Suarez back to his best and also his worst, scoring goals and winding up opponents in the meantime. More importantly, he has ended his recent drought and that must be good news with a trip to Turin ahead and also a game at Mestalla next weekend.
“It was a matter of feeling good,” he said afterwards. “I wasn’t anxious to score. It’s important because it helps to win three points against a very difficult opponent. I think the important thing was to win today.”
And Barca keep on winning. Although the games against Juventus and Valencia will show just how good this team are, the Catalans will be delighted that Suarez is among the goals again ahead of those two tough tests.
A full 35 days after his previous goall, and 479 minutes later, the Uruguayan is back in business.
