Barcelona manager Hansi Flick praised Marcus Rashford just hours before the Manchester United loanee started against Atletico Madrid.
Last weekend, Marcus Rashford starred against Atletico Madrid in a La Liga match that put Barcelona on track to win the league title.
But in the Champions League, it was a different story as Barcelona lost 2-0 to Atletico Madrid. Spanish media were impressed with Rashford despite the defeat, but there was still an obvious flaw to his game.
Hansi Flick has been pleased with Rashford, but he might live to regret his comments about the 28-year-old’s defensive work.
Marcus Rashford in action for Barcelona against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Photo by Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
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Marcus Rashford’s defensive work was slacking vs Atletico Madrid
In his pre-match comments, Flick praised Rashford’s improved defending, claiming that the forward had “adapted” and was defending and pressing better than he was at United.
But those comments immediately backfired as Marcus Rashford made just one defensive contribution in his entire performance against Atletico on Wednesday night.
As per SofaScore, Rashford didn’t attempt a single tackle, clearance or block. He made one interception and only recovered the ball once for his side.
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While Rashford was a threat going forward, he continues to be a liability defensively, despite Flick’s comments suggesting otherwise.
Flick specifically mentioned that Atletico were strong out wide and that guided his decision to start Rashford, but the United loanee didn’t do enough defensively and Flick’s second-half decision confirms it.
What do you think is Marcus Rashford’s legacy at Man Utd?
Hansi Flick changed Marcus Rashford’s position vs Atletico Madrid
Rashford started the Champions League clash playing out on the left for Barcelona – his favoured position.
But once Pau Cubarsi was sent off for the hosts, Flick moved Rashford into a central role.
READ MORE: Marcus Rashford has thrown away his ultimate Man Utd dream to win league title at Barcelona
Playing through the centre, Rashford had fewer defensive responsibilities. Fermin Lopez and Pablo Gavi were brought off the bench by Flick at half-time to cover Barcelona’s defensive gaps.
Flick’s own actions suggest he doesn’t fully trust Rashford in a defensive position, so he was played as a striker before eventually being replaced himself after 73 minutes.
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