Marcus Rashford’s Barcelona career hit an early stumbling block as he was hooked at half-time during the 3-2 victory against Levante. For the English forward, it was a night to forget, his lack of impact leaving Hansi Flick with little choice but to reshuffle his attack in search of a spark.
When the whistle blew for half-time, Barça found themselves 2-0 down and toothless in the final third. Flick, earning his wages in the dressing room, acted decisively with two changes to turn the tide. Rashford, perhaps still adjusting to a new system and surroundings, was the casualty. His withdrawal allowed Dani Olmo to enter the fray, pushing Raphinha back to his natural left-wing role.
The switch paid immediate dividends. Within 15 minutes of the restart, Barcelona had clawed their way back to level terms, restoring some pride and proving Flick’s bold calls justified. For Rashford, however, it was a sobering reminder that reputations alone don’t guarantee minutes in this Barcelona side, and that adaptation will be key if he’s to thrive in Spain.
It was a timely reminder that Raphinha remains the left winger Barcelona need. His influence from that flank highlighted how the central role is far better suited to Dani Olmo, Gavi, or even Fermín López when seeking the right balance. For Rashford, that means more time on the bench or filling in elsewhere across the front line, as the second-half turnaround showed Barça at their best.
Hansi Flick’s words after the match were damning in their clarity. The German manager all but confirmed his preference for Raphinha in Rashford’s favoured position:
"“This is, for me, where we have to continue. Of course, in the second half, we had to change something. Raphinha on the left side is our No.11. He knows everything about how we play — when to come inside, what we want to do. I think we got the right changes.”"Hansi Flick on Rashford
Still, while Flick’s stance makes the road ahead more complicated, it’s important to counterbalance the narrative. Rashford is still adapting to life at Barcelona, and patience will be key. Breaking into one of the fiercest attacking lines in Europe requires time, understanding, and trust.
The signs of promise were there. In the opening minutes, he showed confidence with a nutmeg and willingness to drive at defenders. Yet his tame shot summed up a lack of sharpness that will only improve with rhythm and minutes.
It was the kind of spark Barcelona fans will hope to see improvements from Rashford off the bench, for now, he’ll need patience and composure as he settles into his new chapter.