Curious: Lus Suarez's stats better without Leo Messi this season
The Uruguayan has done better without his friend in the current campaign
Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi are a lethal duo. On and off the pitch. Since the Uruguayan arrived at Barcelona in 2014, the two have struck up a great friendship away from Camp Nou thanks to their relationship on the pitch. The No.9 benefits from the No.10s magic, gaining space and receiving assists to help him score goals.
There are no doubts that Suarez is better with Messi. The Argentine makes everyone that plays with him better. The reverse doesn't happen in the same way, given he's spent more than a decade at the top. But it's true that the former Liverpool striker's constant movement help create space behind the lines -- where Leo is lethal.
This season, however, the numbers tell a different story, given Suarez is doing better in front of goal without Messi. With Messi on the pitch, he scores one goal every five and a half hours. Without him, every 80 minutes. A surprising difference.
Logically, the brutal difference is largely explained by the hat-trick Suarez scored against Real Madrid. With Messi injured, he took the team on his back and decided the Clasico. The next week, his good form continued with a brace against Rayo Vallecano -- again with Messi injured.
