Marcus Rashford's loan spell at Barcelona has drawn mixed reviews following his performance in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atlético Madrid. The English forward was described as 'hyperactive' by Spanish media, producing a flurry of chances but failing to find the net in the 2-0 defeat at the Metropolitano.
Rashford had seven shots within the first hour, hitting the woodwork and being denied by goalkeeper Juan Musso on multiple occasions. Despite his energetic display, the lack of a clinical edge was noted, with El Periódico remarking that 'Rashford is not Luis Suárez.' The 27-year-old admitted that Barcelona need to be more clinical, saying: 'The mindset and intent of this team are unbelievable, but we cannot shy away from the responsibility.'
Barcelona now face a daunting task to overturn the two-goal deficit in the second leg. Historically, only one team in Champions League history has progressed after losing the home first leg 2-0. However, Rashford has experience of such comebacks, having scored a late penalty for Manchester United to eliminate Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.
The loan move was originally a back-up option for Barcelona, who had pursued Nico Williams and Luis Díaz before settling for Rashford. His arrival from Manchester United was facilitated by the relative ease and low cost of the deal. While his overall impact has been positive, questions remain about his consistency in front of goal.
