The Swede only spent one season in Catalunya before returning to Italy, while the Uruguyan has established himself as a star man for the Blaugrana
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is baffled as to why Luis Suarez has succeeded where Zlatan Ibrahimovic failed by flourishing at Camp Nou.
Ibrahimovic arrived in Catalunya from Inter in 2009 for a reported €70 million but, despite a bright start to his Blaugrana career, the outspoken Swede returned to Italy after a solitary season in which he had a bitter falling-out with then coach Pep Guardiola.
Suarez, meanwhile, initially struggled to prove himself worthy of the €94m transfer fee Barca had paid Liverpool for his services, but his form has improved steadily since the turn of the year and is now back playing at his very best.
With Ibra set to face his former club on Tuesday as Paris Saint-Germain take on Barca in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Luis Enrique was asked to compare the two striker's contrasting fortunes at Barca.
"I don't know why Suarez has fitted in at Barcelona better than Ibrahimovic," the coach stated. "His goals took a while to arrive but I can only praise his performance and his work ethic.
"Although you sign a top player, you never know how he will adapt to the team or the city. Those handicaps can go against you but in the case of Suarez he has adapted very quickly. Some players take a while to adapt and others do it fast."
Ibrahimovic was forced to sit out last week's first leg through suspension and the prolific striker was missed, with Laurent Blanc's men slumping to a 3-1 home defeat.
The 33-year-old is now set to make his return to the starting line-up for the return tie, but Luis Enrique insists that the forward's inclusion will not alter his tactical plan.
"Ibrahimovic is back in the team but that doesn’t change matters because PSG will play with the same style," he stated. "We sometimes change it to create more problems for the opponent but not because of individual players.
"The opponent suffered a bad result in the first leg, and they will be looking to win by using every weapon they have. Our objective is clear: we want to win this match.
"I can’t say who stands a better chance of progressing. We need to play another great match to get through, that’s the truth.
"I would say we are at our highest level at the moment but tomorrow we will have to be in top form to face PSG."
PSG midfielder Marco Verratti also missed the first leg through suspension and Luis Enrique expects the Italian to have a big impact on the game, admitting that the 22-year-old is good enough for a place in Barca's much-vaunted midfield.
"Verratti has always been good enough to play for any team," the former Spain international added. "I love the player, ever since I saw him for the first time."
Barca are the favourites to win this season's Champions League in many pundits' eyes, particularly with Lionel Messi in such sensational form.
However, Luis Enrique was keen to play down his side's prospects, while at the same time praising his Argentine No.10 for reaching 400 goals for Barca in Saturday's 2-0 win over Valencia.
"Messi is at his best at the moment," he added. "He is very fit and has scored his 400 goals, which is an impossible figure really - he is unique," he continued.
"But we are not favourites to win the Champions League. We are a candidate for the semi-finals - so are PSG and every other participant.
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