Barcelona manager Hansi Flick says is not surprised by Marcus Rashford’s performance in the 2-1 win over Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League on Thursday, Afrosport reports.
The 27-year-old scored two brilliant second half goals to open his account for the Blaugrana since joining on loan from Manchester United.
It was also his seventh career goal against Newcastle, making them the opponent he has scored most goals against after Leicester City (8).
“I’m not surprised, I’m not surprised. I said it yesterday (in the pre-match press conference) that I think he’s a fantastic player, a great talented player,” Flick said about the English men’s performance.
“His skills are unbelievable, his finishing is unbelievable and of course I said in the half-time, I said to him, ‘please score two goals!’. No, it was not like that. But I think also in the first half, he tried to create chances. He had good dribblings but the finishing was at the end not right and the second half was different.
“For a striker, it’s always good to score goals and to finish it and I’m really happy that he was also in the box when the cross came in (for the first goal). For us, important player. Deco (Barcelona sporting director) and I, we spoke before the season what we need and we need a player like him. Happy to have him here in Barcelona.”
The German tactician added: “I think for me it was the first step and he has to make the next one. This match, these two goals, here in England against Newcastle for Barcelona in the first Champions League match in this season, I think it’s great.
“It’s really great and gives him the confidence, belief in himself and for me this is the most important thing that he knows and shows it also on the pitch that he’s a fantastic player.”
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Rashford registered an assist in Barcelona’s previous La Liga game against Valencia and will hope to score his first goal in the Spanish top flight against Getafe on Sunday.
