Sofia Quijada
Marcus Rashford was surprisingly left out of Barcelona’s starting XI in their 3-0 win over Getafe, with reports confirming it was the result of a disciplinary punishment handed down by head coach Hansi Flick. The England forward had scored twice against Newcastle in the Champions League just days earlier but started on the bench in La Liga.
Impact From the Bench
Rashford was introduced at half-time for Raphinha and wasted little time making his mark. Just 16 minutes later, he set up Dani Olmo with a clever cutback to put the game beyond reach. Earlier, Ferran Torres had already put Barça 2-0 ahead with a first-half brace.
The Reason Behind the Punishment
According to The Athletic, Rashford was benched because he turned up late to training on the morning of the match. Flick, a known disciplinarian, has made punctuality a non-negotiable part of his regime. In recent weeks, Raphinha, Jules Kounde, and Iñaki Peña have all been subjected to the same treatment after lapses in discipline.
Not Rashford’s First Offence
This isn’t the first time Rashford has faced disciplinary action. At Manchester United, he was dropped by Erik ten Hag in January 2024 for skipping training after a night out in Belfast. Back in the 2022-23 season, he was also benched against Wolves for arriving late to a team meeting. The latest incident in Barcelona highlights a recurring theme of professionalism concerns.
What It Means for Rashford at Barça
Despite the punishment, Rashford’s form on the pitch remains impressive, with three goals and an assist across his last two appearances. But under Flick’s strict management style, consistency off the pitch will be just as important as performances on it.
Rashford has the quality to be a difference-maker at Barcelona — but unless he sharpens up his discipline, Flick won’t hesitate to make an example of him again.