Luis Suarez: Lionel Messi & Barcelona will force Real Madrid into hiding

Posted Thursday, April 28, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Barcelona will beat Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinal first-leg, and the game will be decided by Lionel Messi, according to former striker Luis Suarez.

Despite the tight nature of the last two Clasico's in La Liga and the Copa del Rey final, the former Grande Inter legend, and ex-Barca man is not expecting a stalemate in the Bernabeu later tonight.

"I think that despite everything, the favorites are still Barcelona because two legs are not like one game. If you look at the Copa final they did not lose that in 90 minutes but in extra-time. Therefore I think Barca will have something more," Suarez told Goal.com.

"Both games will be very difficult, but I hope we see football, not battles."

Jose Mourinho is expected to deploy a range of tactics to disrupt the flow of Barca's passing game, but Suarez feels Pep Guardiola's men will respond.

"Barca have this type of linked football, but they were surprised by Real's aggression. However, they will play like they are used to with fast possession football. Madrid will try to close the spaces," he said.

All eyes will be on potential match winners Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. However, Suarez picks the Argentinean to prevail.

"Both teams are great and they have world-class players who are extraordinary like Messi and Ronaldo," he added.

"From Messi we expect something more and I don't think he will make any mistakes in these matches. He will find a solution."