Barcelona have been struck with a damaging squad update just hours before their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at Atletico Madrid.
The La Liga leaders, already navigating a packed schedule across four competitions, must now breach Diego Simeone’s notoriously resilient defense without a key attacking outlet whose pace and flair have been instrumental in their blistering campaign.
This absence piles pressure on Flick’s depth at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, testing their title credentials in a tie pivotal to quadruple aspirations.
That forward is Marcus Rashford, the Englishman on loan from Manchester United, whose electric form—over 20 goal contributions this season—has transformed Barcelona’s left wing into a weapon of devastation, as per the official Barcelona statement.
Rashford sat out training with left knee discomfort from an impact in the Mallorca victory, prompting a cautious decision: “Rashford will miss tomorrow’s game against Atletico Madrid.” No long-term concerns cloud his loan spell, but the timing stings alongside Raphinha’s hamstring woes.
Rashford’s seamless integration into Flick’s high-press system—dribbling past markers, stretching play, and linking with Lewandowski—leaves big shoes to fill.
Ferran Torres steps up on the left, with Lamine Yamal anchoring the right and Dani Olmo or Fermín López as versatile options centrally.
Midfield bolstering from Marc Bernal ensures grit against Atletico’s engine room duelists.
Simeone’s side, hungry for cup progression amid league wobbles, exploits any bluntness up top. Barcelona’s attack still hums at 2.9 goals per game, but Rashford’s xG influence proves irreplaceable short-term.
Flick’s adaptability—perhaps inverting Yamal or deploying Ansu Fati—will shine in adversity.
This injury ripple highlights Barcelona’s frontline fragility despite dominance, with Pedri also sidelined.
Victory without Rashford and Raphinha burnishes their elite tag, priming the return leg.
Recovery protocols safeguard his contributions for Champions League glory.
Flick’s rotation mastery faces a stern early trial.
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