With Ferran injured and Lewandowski KO'd, Rashford is shaping up to be Barça's '9'
Published New:14/10/2025 - 16:43h
Updated New:14/10/2025 - 16:43h
Robert Lewandowski's injury leaves the starting '9' position open for Ferran Torres. However, the 'Shark' also didn't return physically at his best after the break, and Marcus Rashford could change his role against Girona
Hansi Flick has serious problems assembling his attacking trident for next Saturday's match against Girona (16:15 CEST at Montjuïc). The absence of Robert Lewandowski due to a tear in his left biceps femoris leaves the team without their top scorer of the last three seasons available for at least 4 to 6 weeks.
Furthermore, Ferran Torres also returned from the international break "with an overload in the hamstring muscles of his left leg." Although the club ruled out a muscle injury, the 'Shark' is clearly being handled with kid gloves.
Therefore, the most sensible thing, one week before the first Clásico of the season, would be to give him no more than 45-60 minutes against Girona, as long as he trains normally during the week. The '7', for the moment, has 5 goals and 1 assist in 10 games and is Barça's top scorer.
Rashford Could Debut as '9' in Barça-Girona
In that sense, Flick is running short of alternatives for the '9' position. In the first team squad, the only reliable alternative as a reference in the area, if Ferran does not arrive in conditions to be a starter by matchday 9 of LaLiga, is Marcus Rashford.
The Englishman is experiencing a great moment with the Barça team and has taken charge of the team's offensive production in the face of injuries to Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, in addition to Lewandowski's poor form prior to his injury.
'Rashy' has 3 goals and 5 assists in the 10 games played by Barça so far. In addition, he has participated in 8 of the last 18 goals scored by the team (44%).
His best performances, for now, have been attacking from the left, but Rashford has experience as a '9' both at Manchester United and Aston Villa. He has even played some matches as a reference in the area for the English national team, although Flick prefers to line him up on the wing to exploit his ability to get past defenders.
If Raphinha, as expected, doesn't make it to the match against Girona and both Lamine and Fermín López start as substitutes, Marcus would be the team's reference in the area, with Pedri further up to accompany Roony Bardghji and, perhaps, 'Dro' Fernández, who was already in the starting XI against Real Sociedad.
Víctor Barberá, the 'Plan B' to deal with injuries in Barça's attack
Furthermore, Hansi Flick has another card available when it comes to forwards. With Robert Lewandowski unavailable, the German coach could call up Víctor Barberá, who has had a remarkable start to the season with the reserve team.
The 21-year-old player has 5 goals and 1 assist in 6 matchdays of the Second RFEF with Juliano Belletti's team and is ready to make the leap to the first team, after a testimonial season (23/24) in Bruges and a good return to Catalonia with Atlètic and the U-19 team (he has scored 15 goals with the reserve team and another 8 in the Youth League).
Although, until now, his name hadn't appeared on the first team's radar, the injuries and his good form with Barça Atlètic could give him his first big opportunity as a *culé*. Lewandowski will hardly be available next month, while, with Ferran, care must be taken to avoid another muscle injury.
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