Hansi Flick: praises for Rashford and 'pampering' for Pedri, Frenkie and Joan García
Published New:19/09/2025 - 01:19h
Updated New:19/09/2025 - 01:19h
Hansi Flick praised the work of his players against Newcastle, with a special dedication to Rashford for his double. For the German, Marcus is "an outstanding player"
FC Barcelona debuted with a victory in Newcastle (1-2) in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 thanks to a double by Marcus Rashford. After the match, Hansi Flick did not skimp on praise for the English winger, who has responded to the manager's confidence with goals and assists in the absence of Lamine Yamal due to injury.
Flick valued 'Rashy's' quality to score two high-quality goals, one with a header and the other with a powerful long-range right foot. "I am not surprised by his performance. I already said it yesterday, he is a fantastic player, he has a lot of talent. His skills and finishing are very good," began the German coach.
Hansi Flick values Rashford's signing and adaptation
In that sense, he added: "In the first half, he had chances and didn't finish. In the second, he did. For a striker it is important to score. He has taken advantage of the opportunities. We needed a player like this."
Similarly, the coach believes that Rashford "has taken the first" key step for his consolidation within the Barça squad. Now, the '14' must ratify the good sensations with an ascending line in his performance.
"He has shown that he is a great player. He must take another step. I spoke with him when the opportunity arose and that I wanted him on my team, that's why I'm happy. He is an outstanding player," Flick pointed out.
With his double against Newcastle, Rashford has 14 goals in 38 Champions League matches with Manchester United (11), Aston Villa (1) and Barça (2). In addition, he has scored 7 goals in 16 matches against the 'magpies', 5 of them at St. James' Park.
"When I talked about what we needed in the summer, it was important to have alternatives. We have good quality in the squad"
Flick's praise for Joan García, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong
On the other hand, Hansi Flick valued the performance of Joan García. The Catalan goalkeeper, in his debut in Europe, made 5 saves and, although he conceded a goal at the end, he was also decisive for Barcelona to take the 3 points home.
"It's incredible to have him in goal. I'm very happy with him. He saves us from some situations. He has been very good. He gives us one more player with possession of the ball," commented the Azulgrana coach.
He also highlighted the work of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, the latter with a good match despite returning from a muscle injury. "With Pedri and Frenkie it is not easy to put pressure on us and I think they both have had a very good match. I am very happy that they play with that confidence," said the Heidelberg native.
For Flick, the key to victory was knowing how to maintain possession despite the pressure from the opponent and the noise in the stands that gave the match a special atmosphere.
"It was not easy to defend, but we controlled the match. I am happy with how we have played and what I have seen on the field." Barcelona will return to Catalonia on Friday afternoon, after a recovery session in the morning. On Saturday, the squad will prepare for Sunday's match against Getafe, for matchday 5 of LaLiga.
"The most important thing is today's match. And on Sunday we go against Getafe, which we play at the Johan. PSG is very far away for me"
