Barcelona fans will be thrilled to hear El Clasico has been scheduled for Oct. 25, which means Luis Suarez will be eligible for the game, as his four-month ban is due to end the day before.
I am pleased to hear the Uruguayan striker now has such a huge first match to look forward to. Sure, the prospect of debuting for the club that has invested so heavily in his services should be attractive enough anyway, but the chance to face the Catalans' archrivals at the Santiago Bernabeu in his very first game is certainly something else.
After enduring the highs and lows since his infamous World Cup, Suarez will appreciate the chance to put his forgettable summer behind him and refocus on what truly matters: giving his all on the pitch.
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At this point, it is difficult to predict whether Luis Enrique will include him in the starting XI or use him as a late substitute. Either way, by then, the Asturian manager will have had plenty of time to get to know the Uruguayan's strengths. Being forced to adapt to his new teammates behind closed doors, rather than in front of the eyes of millions, should make for a more impactful debut.
The Premier League's Golden Boot winner will be relishing the chance to show Barca didn't make a mistake in paying such a fortune for his signature, and there is no better opponent than Real Madrid to prove his point. Carlo Ancelotti, Sergio Ramos and Pepe will have one more threat to defend against -- a further headache they would have gladly done without.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the 17th Uruguayan in the Blaugranas' history will have his patience well and truly tested by the Madrid players and supporters before, during and even after the match. The traditional rivalry between the two most successful teams in Spanish football is as ferocious as ever, and given the fact that Suarez has been seen to react impulsively under severe pressure, the Merengues will undoubtedly try their best to upset his concentration.
Enrique, with the help of his coaching and medical staff, must ensure Suarez is prepared for the challenge both physically and mentally. If he is capable of ignoring all the external influences and concentrating on the game at hand, he could be the key element to unbalance the Clasico in Barca's favour.
The Catalans' attacking mechanisms continue to evolve on a weekly basis. By the end of October, Enrique will be faced with the difficult question of who should make way to accommodate Suarez into the team. With Lionel Messi now given an even more commanding role and freedom within Barca's attack, it will be up to Neymar, Pedro, Munir and Sandro to compete for the remaining spot up front.
The Brazilian forward should have the edge, given his salary and theoretical status within the team, but unless he begins to show what he's capable of on a more regular basis, he might not be able to keep his courageous challengers at bay. Vicente Del Bosque granted Munir his first international cap this week, and given his impressive progression, Enrique might be inclined to give him more playing time than anticipated before the season began.
Oct. 25 is still seven weeks away, but if I were you, I'd run to my personal calendar right now and circle the date in bright red -- Luis Suarez and millions of Cules around the world already have.