Daijiworld Media Network- Barcelona

Barcelona, Sep 18: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has thrown his weight behind Marcus Rashford to make a strong impact in the absence of injured teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, as the Catalan giants kick off their Champions League campaign away to Newcastle United on Thursday.

Yamal, who has rapidly risen to become one of the brightest young stars in world football, will miss the trip to St. James’ Park due to a groin injury. Flick, however, believes Rashford has the quality to seize the opportunity.

The England forward joined Barcelona on loan after falling out of favour at Manchester United under Ruben Amorim. The 27-year-old, who netted for England in a 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over Serbia last week, has already shown glimpses of promise in Spain, providing an assist in Barça’s 6-0 thrashing of Valencia last Sunday.

“I have really followed Marcus since he started at Manchester and I always said, ‘Wow! What kind of player he is, he is unbelievable’,” Flick told reporters. “He has speed, he’s fantastic in one-on-one situations, and his finishing is unbelievable. In the first weeks here, I’ve seen real quality and I think he has even more potential to show us. For me, it’s great to have him in my team.”

Barcelona, who suffered a heartbreaking 7-6 aggregate defeat to Inter Milan in last season’s semi-finals, are once again among the favourites to lift the trophy. But with their last Champions League triumph dating back a decade, Flick acknowledged the pressure that comes with the job.

“Everyone wants to win the Champions League, and we also. I feel in Barcelona everyone is waiting for that. We will learn every day to get better and better, and we will see what happens at the end of the season,” the German coach added.

Apart from Yamal, the Spanish champions will also be without injured duo Alejandro Balde and Gavi for their visit to Tyneside.