Hansi Flick Backs Marcus Rashford to Shine in No.9 Role

Amid Ferran Torres Injury Fear as Barcelona Prepare for Champions League & El Clasico Showdowns

At a club where every decision is magnified, every result dissected, and every injury feels like a mini-crisis, Hansi Flick’s calm demeanour has been Barcelona’s steadying force. But even for a coach as composed as the German tactician, the next fortnight could prove defining. With Ferran Torres and Raphinha both major doubts for Barcelona’s upcoming Champions League clash with Olympiacos and the El Clasico showdown with Real Madrid, Flick has turned to a player who knows all about pressure—Marcus Rashford.

The on-loan Manchester United forward is set to lead the line for Barça in two of the season’s biggest fixtures, and Flick couldn’t be clearer about his faith in him. “Rashford is a good option as a No.9, but he can also play as an No.11,” the coach told reporters. “That’s what we thought when we signed him: he can play as a 9 or 11, and it’s great to have him in our team. He’s improved a lot in recent weeks and gives us many positives.”

It’s a pivotal moment for Rashford, who arrived in Catalonia on a season-long loan deal after a turbulent spell at Old Trafford. Now, under Flick’s guidance and in the middle of an injury crisis, the Englishman finds himself thrust into the spotlight as Barcelona’s attacking leader.

Rashford’s Pivotal Role Confirmed Amid Injury Fear

In his pre-match press conference ahead of the Olympiacos game, Flick laid bare the severity of Barcelona’s injury woes. Ferran Torres, one of Barça’s most consistent performers this season with six goal contributions in ten La Liga games, is sidelined with a strained left hamstring. Raphinha, meanwhile, faces a longer layoff of around a month after sustaining a muscle injury.

That leaves Rashford as the natural choice to take up the central role in attack, with support expected from the youthful Lamine Yamal and the ever-reliable Pedri. “We have to adapt,” Flick admitted. “We don’t take risks with injuries, especially with Ferran. We hope to have him and Raphinha back for El Clasico, but we must be realistic—it’s difficult.”

The injuries could not have come at a worse time. Barça’s schedule over the next ten days is nothing short of brutal: a Champions League tie they cannot afford to lose, followed by a trip to the Santiago Bernabéu that could shape the La Liga title race. For Flick, who has already been under scrutiny for inconsistent results, it’s a test of tactical adaptability and mental steel.

Barca’s Crippling Absentee List

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It’s been a season of constant adjustments for Flick since his arrival in Catalonia. The Blaugrana have rarely had a full-strength squad, and this week’s list of absentees reads like a who’s who of first-team regulars. In addition to Torres and Raphinha, Dani Olmo remains out with a calf injury that will sideline him for another three to four weeks.

Even teenage star Lamine Yamal has had to be carefully managed after returning from international duty with discomfort. Flick’s frustrations with the Spanish Football Federation’s handling of player fitness are evident. “We must take care of our players,” he said, subtly criticising how players like Olmo and Yamal were pushed through training sessions despite reporting pain.

The result? A patchwork lineup and a heavy reliance on Barcelona’s youth system. Flick has promoted seven players from Barça Atletic to the senior squad this week, an indication of both necessity and trust in the club’s famed La Masia pipeline. “It’s not easy, but these are the moments when young players must step up,” Flick said.

Flick on His Absence and Personal Reflection Amid the Chaos

As if injuries weren’t enough, Flick will also miss the touchline for El Clasico. His red card in the dying moments of the 2-1 win over Girona means he’ll serve a one-match suspension at the Bernabéu. For a manager used to orchestrating every movement from the technical area, it’s a frustrating setback.

“I have to accept it,” Flick said, reflecting on the incident. “I was emotional, but it wasn’t directed at the referee. I just disagreed with the added time. But I’ll take it as a lesson.”

More revealing, though, was Flick’s moment of introspection when asked about how the Barcelona experience has changed him. “I remember when I was at Bayern, we beat Barça 8-2, and I didn’t smile after eight goals,” he mused. “Now, I have more emotions. This club has changed me completely. I love Barcelona, I love the people here, and I live for the club. But I don’t like seeing myself angry on TV. I don’t want my grandson seeing me like that, so maybe I have to change.”

That honesty underscores a deeper transformation. Flick has traded the clinical dominance of Bayern for the chaos and romance of Barcelona—a club where perfection is demanded but rarely achieved.

Barca’s Must-Win European Clash

Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona looks on

The immediate priority is Olympiacos. After losing 2-1 to PSG in their last Champions League outing, Barcelona cannot afford another slip if they want to keep their knockout hopes alive. Flick is wary of the Greek champions’ attacking threat, noting their strong “statistics” and intensity in transitions. “They are a very dangerous side,” he warned. “We need to be compact, disciplined, and clinical.”

Rashford will lead the line in what could be his defining night in a Barça shirt so far. His pace, directness, and ability to stretch defences could be crucial against an Olympiacos side that likes to sit deep and counter. With Yamal and Fermin Lopez providing width and creativity, Barça’s attack may look different—but potentially more unpredictable.

The Champions League fixture also serves as a dress rehearsal for El Clasico. Flick’s men currently trail Real Madrid by two points in La Liga (24 to 22), and a win over Olympiacos would provide not just qualification security, but also vital momentum heading into the biggest game in Spanish football.

Rashford’s Redemption Arc

For Rashford, this week offers an opportunity to reshape his narrative. After a difficult final season at Manchester United marked by inconsistency and criticism, his move to Barcelona was framed as a fresh start—a chance to rediscover the confidence that once made him one of Europe’s most feared forwards.

Under Flick, that process is beginning to show signs of life. The German’s structured yet expressive attacking system suits Rashford’s strengths: space to run into, quick combinations, and license to drift between central and wide areas. “He’s improved a lot in recent weeks,” Flick reiterated. “He’s working hard, pressing better, and smiling again. That’s important.”

If Rashford can deliver against Olympiacos and then rise to the occasion at the Bernabéu, it could be the start of something bigger—not just for Barcelona’s season, but for his own revival.

The Bigger Picture: Flick’s Balancing Act

Beyond tactics and team selection, Flick’s biggest challenge may be managing expectations. Barcelona’s supporters, long spoiled by eras of dominance, are still adjusting to a side in transition—one defined more by resilience than artistry. Injuries, suspensions, and budget constraints have made consistency elusive.

Yet Flick’s message remains consistent: patience, trust, and evolution. “We are building something,” he said last week. “You can see the direction, even if the results don’t always reflect it.”

The German’s pragmatism may not satisfy every purist, but it’s precisely what this wounded Barcelona needs—a sense of control amid chaos. And with Rashford now stepping into the spotlight, the next two games could either validate Flick’s methods or intensify the scrutiny.

The Road Ahead

As Barcelona prepare for their defining week—first Olympiacos, then Real Madrid—the stakes could hardly be higher. Victory in Europe would restore confidence; a Clasico triumph could ignite a title charge. Defeat in either would bring questions Flick doesn’t need.

But amid all the noise, Flick’s belief in his players—and in Rashford in particular—stands firm. “He gives us something different,” the coach said. “He can decide games.”

For Rashford, that’s both a challenge and an invitation. For Barcelona, it might just be the lifeline they need.