AFCON 2025
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has clarified his halftime substitution of Marcus Rashford during their dramatic 3-2 comeback win against Levante on Saturday night.
Rashford, making his first start for the LaLiga champions, had a few openings but failed to make the desired impact.
Trailing 2–0 at halftime, Flick made two substitutions. Gavi replaced Marc Casadó in a like-for-like switch at the base of midfield, while Rashford made way for Dani Olmo.
The Spanish playmaker was shifted into a central attacking midfield role, allowing Raphinha to be restored to the left wing position, which he enjoyed so much last season.
“Marcus had a few chances in the first half and showed he can help us,” Flick noted at full-time.
“In the second half, we needed to make changes, and we put Raphinha on the wing.
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“I think they were the right changes to make,” the German boss shrugged. “The first goal after the break changed the game.”
Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, will hope for more opportunities to show his ability in the coming weeks.
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