Marcus Rashford made his competitive debut for Barcelona on Saturday, but the 27-year-old's milestone was overshadowed by manager Hansi Flick's fury at his team's performance. The England international came off the bench as Barcelona secured a 3-0 victory over Mallorca to begin their La Liga title defence.
The Spanish champions were already 2-0 ahead when Mallorca were reduced to nine men before half-time in a chaotic six-minute spell. Lamine Yamal completed the scoring with a spectacular strike in stoppage time, but the comfortable scoreline masked Flick's deep frustration with his players.
Manager's explosive criticism
Despite the comprehensive victory, Flick launched a scathing attack on his team's second-half display. The German manager labelled their performance "unacceptable" and accused his players of operating at just "50 per cent" intensity.
"I didn't like the match," Flick said. "These are three important points, but after going 2-0 up, and with the two red cards, I think my team played at 50 per cent. That can't happen."
The Barcelona boss continued his criticism, stating: "You can't play at 50 per cent against nine players, that's not what I expect. This is not acceptable."
Rashford's limited debut impact
Rashford replaced goalscorer Ferran Torres during the second half but struggled to make an impression in his appearance. The Manchester United loanee was finally registered by Barcelona on Friday after the club overcame economic obstacles.
Rashford managed exactly 10 touches during his debut. Flick offered some sympathy for the forward's quiet performance, explaining that the reduced team intensity limited his opportunities.
"Rashford didn't have the chance to play more freely because Mallorca was crowded at the back," the manager said. "Also the team played with less intensity, and I wasn't happy about that."
Looking ahead
Barcelona face newly-promoted Levante away next Saturday, where Rashford could earn his first start for the club. The ongoing Camp Nou renovation continues to force the Spanish champions to play their home fixtures at alternative venues.
Rashford will hope his performances can impress England manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia. The forward's integration into Flick's demanding system will be closely watched as Barcelona aim to maintain their high standards throughout the season.
Sources used: "Mirror", "The Guardian" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
