Desk Report:
Barcelona defeated Newcastle United 2-1 in the first match of the new UEFA Champions League season. Marcus Rashford scored both goals for the Catalans. Barca head coach Hansi Flick was not surprised at all by the performance of this English forward. He has a good idea about Rashford.
Flick does not make mistakes in recognizing pure gold. That is why Barcelona brought Rashford on loan from Manchester United last July at his request. Rashford was goalless in the first four matches of La Liga for the Spanish club. Finally, he repaid Flick’s trust in the fifth match. That too in his Champions League debut for Barca. However, such a footballer could not show himself in that way at United in his 10-year club career. But it did not take long for Flick to change.
Rashford scored twice in just 9 minutes at St. James’ Park. Both of his goals were memorable. In the 58th minute, he broke the deadlock with a great header after receiving Jules Kunde’s cross in the box. Then in the 67th minute, he found the address with a bullet-speed shot. Flick picked him up in the 82nd minute. At the post-match press conference, he said, ‘I was not surprised at all to see Rashford’s two goals. I think he is a great player. His skills are incredible and he is also a great finisher. He created several chances in the first half of the match. But he could not finish. In the second half, he was able to finish.’
Flick told the Barca management to sign Rashford because he had confidence, ‘It is always good for a striker to score goals. I am really happy. Rashford is an important player. When we talked about what we needed before the season. We felt that we needed a player like him in our team. When I got the chance to sign Rashford, I said I had to do it. Because he is a fantastic player.’
The Barca head coach believes that Rashford’s excellent performance against Newcastle will inspire him to do well in the upcoming matches. ‘This match was the first of the season in the Champions League. And again in England against Newcastle. This is Rashford’s first Champions League appearance for Barcelona. He scored two goals in such a match. It will give him confidence in himself. Which is the most important thing.’
