Marcus Rashford was the hero for Barcelona as his brace secured a 2-1 win over Newcastle in the Champions League, with the England international heaping praise on Hansi Flick
Marcus Rashford is loving life at Barcelona after scoring for the first time since ending his Manchester United nightmare, hailing his ‘amazing experience’. The 27-year-old heaped praise on his new manager Hansi Flick as his double secured Barcelona’s 2-1 Champions League triumph over Newcastle United.
The England forward opened his account for the La Liga champions with a performance that underlined his class. Rashford departed United on loan during the summer transfer window after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim.
He demonstrated glimpses of his ability during his temporary stint at Aston Villa last term, which earned him a return to the Three Lions squad, before securing his switch to the Spanish title-holders this summer. Rashford’s brace sank the Magpies as he virtually single-handedly guided Barcelona to victory, initially breaking the deadlock with a well-taken header.
He grabbed the spotlight with a spectacular long-distance strike that doubled Flick’s side’s advantage. The United academy product lavished praise on the ex-Bayern Munich boss, months after Amorim outlined why he couldn’t secure his place back in the Portuguese manager’s thinking at Old Trafford.
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“He’s [Hansi Flick] is a top man, top coach and he’ll be delighted with not just the three points but the way we won,” Rashford declared after the final whistle.
“Most goal kicks, they’re pressing so high, we still tried to play out from the back, it doesn’t work all the time but we looked a positive team and with the quality we have, we can always make things happen.”
In February, the ex-Sporting CP manager Amorrim admitted to a clash of football philosophies with Rashford, which ultimately led to his move to Villa.
“I couldn’t get Marcus to see the way you’re supposed to play football and to train the way I see it,” Amorim confessed. “Sometimes you have one player that is really good with one coach, and the same player with another coach is different.
“I wish the best to Rashford and to [Villa manager] Unai Emery, and they can connect because he’s a very good player.”
Rashford played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s victorious start to their League Phase, as they aim to surpass last season’s semi-final finish. The forward is keen to help them achieve just that.
Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “It’s going good, learning a lot, it’s a new way of football but I’m enjoying it all and I think it’s making me a better player. So that’s what I’m here to do, I’m here to help the team win but improve and be the best I can.
“Honestly, it’s an amazing experience. I’ve always been a huge admirer of Barcelona, people my age have watched them from when we was younger, amazing football, amazing players and we want to win as much as possible.
“100 percent, I’m full of excitement. I’m determined, motivated and the quality in the team it’s refreshing. The team is so young, they play with such confidence and understanding of the game, here isn’t an easy place to come. I’ve won here a few times where we’ve not played the way we wanted to play, we gave a good account of ourselves and got the three points.
“It’s to win it, nothing else is on our minds. We know how tough the competition is, last year they almost got there but this year it’s about going one step more.”
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