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La Liga: Barcelona striker Luis Suarez pleased to end goal drought against Athletic Bilbao

Luis Suarez celebrates with Lionel Messi after scoring his goal in a La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao
Image: Luis Suarez: Celebrates with Lionel Messi.

Luis Suarez admitted he was relieved to end his four-week goal drought in Barcelona's 5-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday evening.

After his free-scoring form for Liverpool last season, the 28-year-old has found goals harder to come by for Barca and prior to the weekend had not netted since January 11.

It looked like being another frustrating day for Suarez at San Mames as goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz kept out his close-range header with a fantastic save.

However, the Uruguayan ended his wait for a goal in the 25th minute as he swept home a first-time shot from the edge of the box to put Barca 2-0 ahead.

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Luis Suarez thought he had scored but his header was superbly saved by Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz

“I wasn't nervous," said Suarez. "(But) I was very worried because I am very self-critical and I worry when I can't help the team with everything I have to offer."

Asked about Iraizoz’s early save, he told www.fcbarcelona.com: "That stop was amazing and I thought that that ball just didn't want to go in."

Also on the scoresheet for Barca in the 5-2 win were Lionel Messi, Neymar and Pedro, along with an Oscar de Marcos own goal.

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The victory sees Barca close the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid to a single point after their 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

"We're aware that in these kinds of matches the intensity should be maximum, because they press really well," Suarez said. "So we knew we had to be very focused from the start."

The win was Barca's ninth in a row in all competitions but head coach Luis Enrique refused to get carried away with the result, saying: "During the season there will be better moments and worse moments for every team.

"I think the most consistent team is going to win this competition. We'll have to wait until the last weekend or the penultimate weekend - maybe it'll be decided like last year on the last day of season.

"I'm not going to make strange predictions - there's still a long way to go. There will be difficult moments along the way and we will have to overcome them."

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