Barcelona had been eradicated from the Champions League after a 3-2 mixture defeat to Atletico Madrid, as Marcus Rashford got here underneath fireplace.
Marcus Rashford disenchanted after Barcelona’s defeat. (Picture: Getty Pictures)
Barcelona had been eradicated from the Champions League following a slender mixture loss to Atletico Madrid, shattering Marcus Rashford’s hopes of lifting European soccer’s greatest prize. Hansi Flick’s staff triumphed 2-1 on the night, however a 2-0 first leg defeat secured a 3-2 mixture victory for Atletico, who’ve reached their first Champions League semi-final since 2017.
Rashford entered as a second half substitute with Barcelona chasing a winner however didn’t make a significant contribution. Afterwards, Spanish media retailers tore into the England ahead’s show, with SPORT labelling him “inoperative” and difficult his “character” in pivotal moments.
“When Rashford got here on, he did not contribute something particular,” they wrote. “He lacks the character to be decisive in essential moments.”
Mundo Deportivo shared that view, sustaining he “failed to enhance Barcelona within the ultimate third,” whereas Soccer Espana noticed he “regarded off the tempo,” handing him a modest 5.5/10 score – beneath most of his colleagues.
AS went significantly additional, not solely criticising Rashford’s ineffective displaying but in addition delivering a savage evaluation of his Barcelona future. “As common, a lot of fuss and nothing,” they wrote after the match. “He cannot proceed subsequent yr.”
Total, it proved a disappointing night for Barcelona, regardless of a blistering begin that momentarily sparked hopes of a fightback.
Lamine Yamal netted after simply 4 minutes, earlier than Ferran Torres’ strike levelled the tie on mixture halfway by way of the opening half. However the impetus was fleeting, as Ademola Lookman restored Atletico’s mixture lead simply after the half-hour mark.
Rashford was introduced on with Robert Lewandowski within the 69th minute, however Barcelona’s problem quickly turned much more troublesome. For the second event within the tie, they had been lowered to 10 males, with Eric Garcia deemed to have fouled Alexander Sorloth on the sting of the field because the final man.
Marcus Rashford after Barcelona had been eradicated. (Picture: Getty)
The purple card proved a devastating setback at an important juncture. However, Barcelona pressed ahead in pursuit of the purpose that will have compelled additional time, solely to be thwarted by Diego Simeone’s characteristically resolute aspect.
Rashford has loved a powerful spell in Spain, notching 12 targets and 13 assists in 43 appearances. Nevertheless, in current weeks, he has predominantly been deployed from the substitutes’ bench, indicating his long-term prospects at Barcelona are removed from assured.
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