Reformed Suarez guides Barcelona to Champions League

Barcelona 3 Juventus 1.

One year on from being football's public enemy number one, Luis Suarez completed his rehabilitation with a commanding performance in the Champions League final, helping Barcelona to victory over Juventus. The Uruguayan striker, who in June last year achieved global notoriety for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup, scored decisive Barca's second goal in their 3-1 win in Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

It was the culmination of an impressive first season with the Spanish side – who lifted their fifth Champions League crown – and fully justified Barcelona's gamble in paying Liverpool £75m for his services last year despite the fact his biting ban sidelined Suarez until October.

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No one had more reason to be satisfied with Suarez's rejuvenation than Barcelona coach Luis Enrique. He had most to lose from the gamble but the South American has thrived at the Camp Nou, forming a lethal attacking trident with Lionel Messi and Neymar. Between them the trio scored 122 goals this season, with Suarez contribution 25. Those goals have taken Barcelona to a treble of trophies (La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Champions League), making them the first side to achieve the feat twice.

"When we thought about Luis Suarez and considered him we knew about his great qualities," explained Enrique. "But we had our doubts in that we did not know whether he would adapt... I think we can say he is one of the best players we signed and it was a good decision to trust him. We paid a lot of money for him but he has shown great hunger to win trophies."

Barcelona had raced into an early advantage against their Italian opponents on Saturday night, Ivan Rakitic giving them the lead after just four minutes, but to their credit Juventus – with veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon leading by example – showed great character in repelling Barcelona. Then ten minutes into the second half they equalised through Alvaro Morata and their fans began to dream of an unlikely triumph against all odds.

But Suarez restored Barcelona's lead on 68 minutes when he fired home the rebound from a Messi shot that Buffon had only managed to parry away. Neymar added a third on the stroke of full-time to cap a dream debut season for Enrique. The 45-year-old took charge last summer and has negotiated the club through some harsh media criticism and allegations of behind-the-scenes disputes at the Camp Nou.

That was the reason Enrique refused to confirm he will still be in charge next season, despite winning three trophies and losing just six out of 60 matches in all competitions. "The time will come when decisions have to be made," he said, when asked about his future. "I am so happy at the moment. I have zero interest in the press, the journalists and what they saw about me. It is easy to be critical. I know where I am, what my job is and what my position is. This is obviously a moment when I am elated. Let me repeat I need to enjoy a great celebration, a great party."