'I love Rashford' - Barcelona's Hansi Flick on why every coach needs Marcus Rashford

Following the commanding performance at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick heaped praise on English international, Marcus Rashford, stating his attributes make him a necessity for any top manager. 

Barcelona bounced back from their recent Champions League defeat with a dominant 6-1 home victory over Olympiacos, powered by a Fermin Lopez hat-trick and a crucial brace from on-loan forward Rashford on Tuesday night.

The win significantly boosted the Catalan side's goal difference as they compete for a top-eight spot in the new league phase format.

Coming off a narrow 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the previous match week, Barcelona were determined to make a statement, and they did so with blistering intensity. 

Despite Fermin Lopez's brilliant hat-trick, it was the clinical edge of Rashford that caught the eye of his coach.

Rashford, who has found a new lease of life since his loan move from Manchester United, demonstrated his quality in the second half. 

After Olympiacos had briefly pulled the score back to 2-1 and were then reduced to ten men, the Englishman won the penalty that Lamine Yamal converted in the 67th minute, restoring the two-goal cushion. 

Rashford then compounded the misery for the visitors, adding his second goal of the night in the 79th minute to complete the 6-1 rout.

Speaking after the match, Flick was unequivocal in his appraisal of the forward, a quote that was quickly shared across social media by reporter Fabrizio Romano.

"It's good for a coach to have a player like Marcus Rashford, he can play in various positions, fast, good with the ball and handles short passes around the box very well," Flick stated. 

"I love Rashford. As he gains confidence and understands his teammates better, he will keep improving," he added.

This praise shows a core tenet of Flick’s successful coaching philosophy: tactical versatility and a focus on maximising player confidence. 

The German manager values players who can execute his high-pressing, fluid system, and Rashford’s ability to operate as a No. 9 or a wide forward ("No. 11," as Flick previously noted) perfectly fits this mold. 

With the absence of key forwards like Ferran Torres and Raphinha, Rashford's impact is not just a bonus, it's indispensable.

The commanding win provides a vital confidence boost heading into a pivotal domestic fixture against bitter rivals Real Madrid at the weekend. 

Furthermore, the two-goal haul means Rashford has now scored four goals in three Champions League games for the club, reaffirming his return to elite form. 

His consistent performances are a reminder of Flick's ability to unlock the potential of high-calibre, yet recently struggling, players. 

For Barcelona, the victory ensures momentum is high for the upcoming El Clásico showdown with Real Madrid, where Rashford's pace and versatility will be crucial.