Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde defended Luis Suarez after victory over Malaga.

The striker again struggled in the 2-0 win.

Valverde stated: "The more chances Suarez misses, the better, it means he is always in the right place.

"It is the third game he has played in six days, he is always having chances.

"Suarez is such a good player and the best thing about our strikers is that they always get a lot of opportunities, he wants a goal and will get one in the end."

There was a moment of controversy when the forward was substituted just before the end of the match, to which the Uruguayan reacted somewhat petulantly, something that the former Athletic Club coach was not concerned by.

"Suarez is ambitious and he doesn't like to be substituted," Valverde admitted.

"Everybody wants to be an undisputed starter all the time, I don't see any problem."