Luis Suarez: annoying but brilliant!

By: Jan | October 18th, 2008

Suarez played a super game for Ajax against FC Utrecht. He ran from left to right an back. He created chances for his team mates, created a penalty and scored the first goal for Ajax.

And a typical goal it was. He had the ball glued to his foot on the right in the box. Than a dummy, inside to out… Not flowing, but a bit clumsy. The next moment, it seems his opponent Van Dijk will snatch the ball off him but with a swift move the Uruguayan slipped past and hit the ball like a rocket high in the net.

That is Suarez the genius. In the same game, Suarez has rumbles with Van Dijk, Cornelisse, George and Loval. They are all irritated by his dives, theatre and one even got a knock from the South American.

Four days later, against Vitesse this time, again a bit of a rumble. Molhoek of Vitesse and Suarez get a yellow, Luis’ third in the young season. Against Heerenveen, a cynical Suarez lifts his thumb to the referee. Four yellows in eight games. And the fans of the opposition sing: Schwalbuarez.

Vitesse player Molhoek was lectured about Suarez by his coach Westerhof. Molhoek was responsible for supporting his defense whenever Suarez started a dribble. “You really have to sacrifice an extra player for him,” the Vitesse midfielder says. “With his skills, you never know what he will do. That clumsy sloppiness in his game is not just luck. I’m certain. He just plays with you.”

Westerhof also instructed his players not to “bite” when he started to get theatrical. “I was a bit of a victim of that. He had this dive and I decided to criticize him for it and he reacted very theatrical agian. We both got a yellow. That was a bummer. But I like him, I like his type of player. To do everything you can to win. He is a rebel and all good players are rebels.”

FC Groningen coach Ron Jans (Suarez started his Dutch career there): “Four yellows for a striker is way too much. But Luis is doing so well. He is even more lethal. When he played here we talked about his character on the pitch. He sometimes evokes irritation and then the ref keeps an eye out on him. But, don’t ignore the knocks he does receive, eh? Because most of the times, Luis is right.”

Jans: “And I read stuff about him that are just untrue. Like how egotistical he is. Well, he isn’t. He gave Nevland six assists before he returned the favour. And I think it’s the same with Huntelaar now. A striker needs to go for his own chances, sure, but I do feel Huntelaar got more service from Suarez than the other way around.”

Utrecht midfielder Gregoor van Dijk has trouble keeping his mouth shut when an opponent tries to steal a penalty. “If Suarez dives for a penalty it’s my duty to say something about it. Although I know it doesn’t change things, he won’t suddenly admit to the ref that he dove and all. I don’t think he needs that type of play. He is so good, I think he could easily go one more level up. European top.”

Does Jans think this to? “Oh, maybe later. Mentally, Suarez is very strong. He helps his defense and tracks back. And his style is unique. I don’t have a name for it… Or I do… the Luis Suarez-style. I like that. Whenever he’s on the pitch, something happens. Isn’t that wonderful?”

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