Barcelona’s Tactical Decisions: Rashford’s Bench Start

Rashford’s Limited Minutes Against Getafe

Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, opted to start Marcus Rashford on the sidelines during the match against Getafe on Sunday evening. Despite having scored twice in the recent Champions League victory over Newcastle United, Rashford was substituted in during the second half as his team secured a 3-0 win over Getafe.

Reports of Controversy Regarding Rashford’s Late Arrival

There are reports suggesting that the Manchester United loanee was benched due to a late arrival of just two minutes to the team’s pre-match briefing. As reported by the Daily Mail, this tardiness was attributed to him having to complete a mandatory digital form required from all players before each meeting.

Manager’s Justification for the Decision

Flick, however, clarified that this decision was primarily based on fitness management rather than disciplinary issues. He emphasized the necessity of balancing player minutes and expressed hope for Rashford’s ongoing well-being, stating:

“It’s a standard procedure. We needed fresh legs, especially since he has already played considerable minutes. We must take care of our players. I hope Rashford doesn’t have any health concerns.”

The coach further acknowledged the challenges of managing player fitness, commenting:

“It’s challenging to play every four days. It poses difficulties for coaches as well. My focus has to be on the immediate tasks at hand, and after the match, I aim to unwind.”