Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 9y

Dani Alves eager to see 'beast' Luis Suarez unleashed in clasico

Dani Alves says he cannot wait to see "beast" Luis Suarez finally make his debut for Barcelona, potentially in the first La Liga clasico of the season against Real Madrid later this month.

Suarez -- an 80 million-euro summer signing from Liverpool -- is currently banned for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini while playing for Uruguay at last summer's World Cup, but will be eligible to play in a competitive match again in time for the trip to the Bernabeu on Oct. 25.

The striker has been limited to friendly appearances for club and country over recent months, but is expected to nonetheless feature at some point during the high-profile game in the Spanish capital.

Alves told Catalan station TV3 that he was really looking forward to what his new teammate would do in a Barca jersey.

"Luis Suarez is a beast, a beast," the Blaugrana right-back said. "I am sure he is ready, he is working so hard and really wants to play. I am looking forward to it as much as he is. I want to see him play for Barcelona."

Under new coach Luis Enrique, Barca are currently four points ahead of Madrid in the early Primera Division standings, however Alves said that recent form tended not to matter too much in such games.

"It is not so important who arrives in the better or worse form," he said. "I hope we can enjoy it and compete sportingly. We are at the right stage [of development], a good place, and with the right coach to have a great season."

Alves, 31, has entered the final year of his current Barca contract, and has suggested recently that he will move to an English club next summer. The former Sevilla player said whatever happened he would continue to give everything for Barcelona this season.

"I am not going to worry myself nor am I going to lose hope," he said. "Neither will I stop competing because I have only a few months left on my contract. And if negative things happen, well then nothing, as life is like that."

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