Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has admitted that Luis Suarez moving to Juventus instead of Atletico would have been better for Barcelona.
The Uruguayan had a successful six-year spell at Camp Nou before joining Atletico in deal worth €6 million in the summer transfer window.
Suarez was deemed surplus to requirements in the wake of Koeman’s appointment as Blaugrana’s new manager with the Rojiblancos capturing his signature ahead of Serie A giants Juventus.
Although, Suarez was linked with a move to Turin for months but the a deal could not be reached as he was accused of cheating in a language test after submitting his Italian citizenship application.
Thus, Atletico took advantage of the situation by swooping in with a two-year contract for the 34-year-old, who has been stellar for Diego Simeone’s side – notching up 14 goals in his first 16 La Liga games.
Owing to his incredible form, Koeman has expressed regrets over letting the striker join Spanish top-flight rival, but still believes the decision to let him leave was right.
The Barca boss told The Athletic of the striker’s move to Madrid: “It’s part of your job. You speak to the club — and when I came as a coach to Barcelona, we had our opinions and I had the information out of the club — and then finally you make decisions.
“You need to make these decisions because if it goes well then it’s OK, but if it doesn’t go well, then it needs to be my way and that’s the most important thing.
“We are changing and of course, it would have been better that Luis Suarez signed for Juventus instead of Atletico Madrid because he’s still in the Spanish league.
“But that kind of decision, we had to make it, really tough ones but showing respect to the player, and I think that’s really important. And I still agree with what we did at that time.”
Barca moved up to second in the Liga standings after a 2-1 home win against Athletic Club at the weekend, but they have played a game more than leaders Atletico, who are ten points clear at the top.
Suarez had missed the opportunity to face his old club in a La Liga game last year after he contracted coronavirus.
Atletico Madrid went on to win the game 1 – 0 thanks to Yannick Carrasco late half-time strike.
