According to the Barcelona boss, their Uruguayan summer signing's performance in the 3-1 loss to Real Madrid exceeded his expectations

Eyebrows were raised when Barcelona announced that Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez would be starting Barcelona's all-important El Clasico tie with Real Madrid on Saturday.

Suarez, who was handed a four-month ban from competitive games after biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during the summer World Cup, served out his punishment, which came to an end the day before the Santiago Bernabeu encounter.

And tt only took the 27-year-old three minutes to make his presence known after setting up Brazilian ace Neymar for the early opening goal.

However, as the game proceeded, the former Liverpool star, as well as Barcelona's attacking threat, faded off as the Blaugrana fell to a 3-1 loss thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, and Karim Benzema.

Suarez was later removed off the pitch after 68 minutes for Pedro as the Barcelona attempted to get back into the game, but the Catalan giants' manager argues that he holds no regrets over starting the Barcelona number 9.

"I don't regret starting him,” Enrique insisted. “He played well and looked reasonably up to speed - more so than I expected, in fact. The last half an hour could have taken its toll on him and that's why we brought him off."

Suarez was a surprise starter for Barcelona in Saturday's El Clasico tie at Santiago Bernabeu

The Uruguayan got off to a perfect start, assisting Neymar in the 3rd minute as the Blaugrana took an early lead 

However, Luis Enrique's men were trailing 3-1 after 61 minutes, before Suarez was substituted after 68

Luis Suarez, Barcelona, Real Madrid, El Clasico, La Liga

"Defeats don't make you stronger. The conclusion from this one is that there are better teams than us. We have to address our mistakes".

"We started well but then we conceded clear chances right after scoring. We could have made it 2-0, but it was an end-to-end first half. We struggled in the second period and they were worthy winners."

"We stopped creating chances, but that was down to the opposition. The second goal was from a set piece and the third came from an error on our part. We got picked off on the break. We weren't forceful enough at the back and we paid the price."

Suarez, who remained positive despite Saturday's loss, claims he gave his best in the 229th edition of El Clasico, but revealed he was unaware he would be included in the starting eleven.

Suarez's El Clasico debut in numbers

"I felt good and I tried to do everything in my power to help my team, but I knew I wouldn't be able to last the 90 minutes", the striker noted.

"I didn't know I was going to play until the team talk. You always want to mark your debut with a win and all the more so considering the occasion, but I'm going away satisfied because I gave my all."