Luis Suarez is relishing his new challenge at Atletico Madrid following his dream debut for the club on Sunday when the former Barcelona striker scored twice and set up another goal in the 6-1 demolition of Granada.
The Uruguay striker was forced out of Barca by incoming coach Ronald Koeman but he said after his double that switching clubs could be just what he needed.
“Barca reached a point where they decided they needed a change and some fresh air, so it was important to accept that and change club,” Suarez, 33, told Spanish network Movistar.
“For a player sometimes it’s important to make a change and I’ve come to club who have given me a spectacular welcome. You can sense that there is a very good atmosphere around the club and today we saw it on the pitch.”
Suarez came on in the 70th minute with his side three goals up but wasted no time in making his mark on the game, laying on a pass for Marcos Llorente to score the fourth goal of the game.
He then headed home a cross from Llorente and rounded off an almost perfect day for Atletico by striking again in stoppage time.
Ramos the saviour
On Saturday, Real Madrid edged Real Betis 3-2 for their first win of La Liga season, thanks to a late Sergio Ramos penalty that was furiously protested by the hosts.
Madrid captain Ramos again showed nerves of steel to chip the ball into the net from the spot after a VAR review for a handball by defender Marc Bartra, who appeared to have been pushed by visiting forward Borja Mayoral.
