Marcus Rashford missed out on Atletico Madrid mauling Barcelona 4-0 in the Copa del Rey
Marcus Rashford looks disappointed in action for Barcelona
Marcus Rashford was absent from Barcelona's 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
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Marcus Rashford's injury saw him escape Barcelona's devastating 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.
The winger, who is on loan at the Spanish giants from Manchester United, missed out on Thursday's match at the Metropolitano Stadium after sustaining a knock in the 3-0 victory over Mallorca on Saturday.
In the first leg of the semi-final tie, Hansi Flick's side conceded all four goals in the first half with the opening 45 minutes being regarded as the worst of the German's tenure so far in Catalonia.
He traveled to Madrid without the services of Pedri, Raphinha and the England star, but now faces an improbable task of reaching the final of defending the trophy. Promising his team will bounce back ahead of the second leg next month, Flick said: "Look, when I say I’m disappointed, maybe that’s not right.
"I’m proud of these players this season. We’ve had injuries. And that’s part of the game. Sometimes you lose. Today was a wake-up call, a tough defeat. And we’ll be back. We have to accept this lesson.
"We didn’t play well from the first minute. We have a young team, but that’s no excuse. Then, the second half was better." Spanish media's verdict of Rashford was clear to see after the humiliating defeat.
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Marcus Rashford reacts to getting hit by the ball
Marcus Rashford was absent from the Atletico Madrid match after picking up an injury against Mallorca(Image: Getty Images)
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Jordi Carne of Sport discussed Rashford's absence in the 4-0 demolition, admitting that Flick not being able to call upon the Englishman damaged his side's balance on the wings. Dani Olmo, who usually does his best work through the middle, was shifted onto the left flank but lacks Rashford's pace and directness.
He wrote: "Barca sorely missed their two key players, in addition to Lamine Yamal and Joan Garcia. All six defeats this season have come in matches where Raphinha hasn't played a single minute, and while the numbers without Pedri aren't as bad as they once were, the Canary Islander is fundamental not only in possession but also in defensive cover.
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"The added absence of Marcus Rashford meant Olmo had to move to the left wing, leaving the team without the two natural replacements for Raphinha and Pedri."
Mundo Deportivo
The England forward wasn't even mentioned in Mundo Deportivo's breakdown of the defeat, who instead opted to focus on the absences of Pedri and Raphinha. Even with 23 goals and assists to his name this season, which is superior to the midfield maestro (10) and the Brazilian trickster (18), it can be argued that Rashford is not yet seen as a key player for Barcelona by some Spanish media.
They wrote: "Without Pedri or Raphinha , and with Lamine well contained, Barca were outmatched in intensity and effectiveness. The tie is now a very uphill battle. There are precedents in Barca's history of impossible comebacks, but this time the challenge borders on the epic."
AS
Rashford was not given any consideration by AS. The lengthy analysis of the damaging result saw Juan Jimenez lament the absences of Pedro and Raphinha, yet fail to discuss the growing importance of the Englishman to Flick's team.
Despite Rashford starting in every Copa del Rey game prior to Thursday, Jimenez wrote: "Surviving without Pedri is very difficult. And surviving without the Canary Islander and Raphinha is practically impossible.
"If Lamine represents talent, Pedri and Raphinha are usually the barometer of a Barca side facing some uncertainties after the defeat at the Metropolitano. Perhaps the two weeks off after the Girona match will give them time to reflect."