体坛英语新闻：Suarez the star as Barca struggle past Almeria

MADRID, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Luis Suarez was the hero for FC Barcelona as he came off the bench at halftime to set up the goals that gave his side a 2-1 win to Almeria on Saturday afternoon.

The Uruguayan set up Neymar and Jordi Alba to score the second half goals that gave Barca three vital points, but which should not serve to disguise another disappointing team performance.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique fielded a controversial starting 11, resting Suarez and Neymar from Wednesday's Champions League trip to Ajax, while Adriano, Marc Bartra and young striker Munir also got a start.

Meanwhile Gerard Pique remains out of favor and started the game on the subs' bench yet again.

The first half saw Barcelona create the best chances as Munir and Messi forced Almeria goalkeeper Ruben into a triple save after nine minutes, while Messi should have done better than head against the crossbar on the half hour, but the fact was the Catalans were struggling to produce any fluid football against a well-organized side who were willing to pressure them up the park.

After 37 minutes pressure on Messi saw him loose the ball and a smart pass from Jonathan Soriano set Thievy through on goal. The former Espanyol forward outpaced the Barca defenders and slotted the ball past the helpless Claudio Bravo to give Almeria a shock lead.

Luis Enrique wasted no time in making changes, bringing Suarez and Neymar for Pedro and Munir at the break, but the shape of the game hardly changed.

Neymar set up Adriano who was denied by a last ditch challenge on the hour and from the resulting corner Suarez's volley smashed against the crossbar, before Xavi Hernandez became Barca's final change when he replaced Busquets.

Barca equalized after 72 minutes after a magnificent turn and pass from Suarez left Neymar with just a tap in, although the Brazilian almost missed as his shot bounced agonizingly over the line off the back of a defender.

Another turn from Suarez ended with him shooting just wide, before he then set up Messi whose header again bounced off the woodwork.

Jordi Alba gave Barca the lead in the 83rd minute as Suarez again turned provider with a cross from the right which the full back only had to prod over the line.