Barcelona’s latest signing, Marcus Rashford, made his first unofficial appearance in the club’s colours during their pre-season clash with Vissel Kobe, which ended in a 3-1 victory for the Catalan side.
Though the English forward didn’t find the back of the net, he caught the eye with his intelligent movement, solid link-up play, and apparent grasp of manager Hansi Flick’s tactical approach.
Rashford Reflects on His First Outing
Following the match, Rashford shared his thoughts on the game, the support from the fans, and his aspirations with the club.
“It felt really good. It was a strong performance, and it was a fantastic experience to play in front of these fans,” he said (via Diario SPORT). “It also helped me improve my match fitness.”
He emphasized the significance of adapting quickly to Flick’s system:
“Of course, winning is important, but what really matters is fitting into the team’s playing style and philosophy. I think we showed glimpses of that throughout both halves.”
Despite the frequent changes in the lineup—a common feature in pre-season friendlies—Rashford was encouraged by the team’s cohesion:
“Games like these are always tricky with so many changes, but overall, I think we handled it well.”
Praise for Japanese Supporters
Speaking about playing in Japan, Rashford was quick to compliment the atmosphere:
“The fans were incredible. We don’t often get the chance to play in these kinds of stadiums, so it’s been a special experience to perform in front of such enthusiastic crowds.”
On Working with Flick and His Preferred Role
Rashford also expressed excitement about working under Flick, believing the manager is well-suited to bringing out his best qualities:
“I think Flick understands how to use my strengths. I’m here to contribute and help the team win matches.”
When asked about his ideal playing position, Rashford revealed a preference but remained open to versatility:
“I probably favour the left wing, but I’m comfortable playing anywhere across the front three. One of my assets is that flexibility—I’ll play where the team needs me, whether that’s scoring or creating goals.”
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