Flick delighted as Rashford shows expected brilliance | OneFootball

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has praised Marcus Rashford after his outstanding display helped the club secure a Champions League victory.

The 27-year-old forward scored twice in Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Newcastle in their opening group stage match on Tuesday night.

His goals made the difference for the Spanish side, who began their campaign with an important result.

Rashford, who joined Barcelona on loan, appears to be regaining his sharpness and confidence on the pitch.

Speaking to TNT Sport, Flick admitted he was not surprised by the performance, pointing out that the forward has consistently shown his quality during training sessions.

“I expected that, but I’m really happy for him. He did not have an easy last few years, I’ve followed him since he played football and I was always like: ‘what kind of player is he’? He showed it in training. For me, it’s the next step. The confidence he’s got from these two gaols, maybe he can make the next step.”

Rashford’s impact on the big stage

The England international made an immediate impact in the match, showing his composure in front of goal.

Rashford found space and finished both chances with assurance, giving his side a strong foundation to build upon.

For a player who has endured challenging seasons in recent years, this performance suggested a new start.

Rashford’s ability to deliver in key moments is exactly what Barcelona needed to strengthen their Champions League push.

Flick underlined how important it is for a forward to score, noting that goals can lift a striker’s confidence.

“For a striker, it’s important to score goals. Sometimes he created a lot of chances in the first half, but to finish that’s an important thing. He did that today, and we love that he did it in this way.”

The win has set a positive tone for Barcelona, who are determined to improve on last season’s semi-final exit. Flick’s side are aiming to go one step further and lift the trophy this campaign.

With Rashford stepping up on the European stage, Barcelona will be confident they have another reliable option to guide them through a difficult season. His goals have already shown that he could play a decisive role in their pursuit of glory.