Barcelona head coach Hansi-Dieter Flick has clarified his decision to substitute Marcus Rashford at halftime during the dramatic 3-2 victory over Levante in the second round of the Spanish La Liga. The English winger, who started the match in the Blaugrana’s attacking line, was replaced by Dani Olmo after the break in what turned out to be a tactical adjustment that changed the course of the game.
“Marcus had several moments in the first half where he showed that he could help the team,” Flick explained to Marca. “But in the second half we needed to make adjustments, so we put Raphinha on the wing. It was a necessity. I think the changes were the right ones. The first goal after the break changed the flow of the match.”The match began in shocking fashion for Barcelona. Despite arriving as heavy favorites, Flick’s team found themselves trailing 2-0 at halftime. Levante exploited defensive gaps and counterattacked with precision, taking advantage of a lack of cohesion in Barcelona’s pressing system. Rashford, starting on the left wing, tried to make inroads with his pace and dribbling but found little success against Levante’s compact backline.
The English forward did create one or two half-chances, cutting inside onto his right foot, but his finishing was not clinical. Barcelona struggled to find rhythm in midfield, with too many transitions breaking down before they reached the final third. At halftime, the Catalans faced the real prospect of a damaging early-season defeat.
Flick, known for his willingness to make bold in-game decisions, chose to reshuffle his attack. By introducing Dani Olmo and repositioning Raphinha on the flank, he added more fluidity and passing combinations, a move that would prove decisive almost immediately.The transformation after halftime was instant. Within the first seven minutes of the second half, Barcelona equalized. Pedri and Ferran Torres struck in quick succession, stunning Levante and turning the match on its head.
Rashford’s substitution, while disappointing for the player, allowed Barcelona to stretch Levante’s defensive lines differently. Olmo’s presence between the lines created overloads in midfield, while Raphinha’s width pulled defenders out of position. Flick’s decision restored control of possession and injected dynamism into the attack. “The changes gave us better balance,” Flick said post-match. “We needed more control and sharper movements in the final third. It’s never easy to take off a player like Marcus, but as a coach you have to think about what the team needs at that moment.”
Barcelona completed their comeback deep into stoppage time, with a dramatic winner that secured all three points. From staring at defeat to celebrating victory, the shift in momentum highlighted the importance of Flick’s halftime adjustments.The substitution inevitably raised questions about Marcus Rashford’s role in Flick’s system. Having only joined Barcelona recently, the English forward is still adapting to life in La Liga. His pace and directness are valuable weapons, but Flick has emphasized collective balance and tactical discipline as non-negotiable principles.
For Rashford, the challenge will be to integrate into a team that often dominates possession and requires patience in breaking down defensive blocks. Unlike the Premier League, where transitions are frequent, La Liga demands more intricate buildup play. Flick’s decision should not be seen as a lack of faith but as part of the adjustment process. Statistically, Barcelona’s win keeps them at the top of the table with six points from two matches, leading La Liga on goal difference. Levante, meanwhile, remain at the bottom with zero points, highlighting the contrasting fortunes of the two sides.
Rashford will no doubt have more opportunities to prove himself in upcoming fixtures. Flick has publicly praised his work ethic in training and believes his qualities will add a new dimension to Barcelona’s attack as the season progresses.Barcelona’s 3-2 victory over Levante was a rollercoaster that showcased both the vulnerabilities and resilience of Hansi Flick’s new-look side. Trailing 2-0 at halftime, the coach made the bold decision to substitute Marcus Rashford and introduce tactical changes that completely shifted the momentum. Within minutes, the Catalans equalized and eventually clinched victory in stoppage time.
