Luis Suarez enjoying profitable Neymar partnership at Barcelona

Thursday 5 November 2015 09:55, UK

Luis Suarez says he is enjoying his partnership with Neymar as the pair continue to thrive for Barcelona in the absence of Lionel Messi.

Neymar scored twice and Suarez once as Barca beat BATE Borisov 3-0 on Wednesday to put them on the brink of qualification from Group E of the Champions League.

The match was the ninth of the season Barca have played without Messi, who suffered a knee injury in late September.

Of those nine they have lost just one, with Suarez and Neymar combining to score 17 of the 20 goals they have netted in that time.

"Right now Leo is missing and that adds to the need for us strikers to connect whenever possible," Suarez told UEFA.com after the win over BATE.

"If you play next to a footballer of the great quality of 'Ney' then, obviously, you enjoy the games and the partnership a great deal more. Beyond winning it's obviously very satisfying to help the team with assists and goals."

After scoring on Wednesday, Suarez now has hit nine goals in eight appearances in all competitions.

"Beyond the need to perform it's both enjoyable and it makes you happy when you are playing and winning for the club you always wanted to be with," he said.

"We're in a good moment as a team and that adds to my happiness."

Barcelona host Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday but will be without midfielder Ivan Rakitic after he suffered a calf injury against BATE.