Hansi Flick anticipates a “fantastic” season of Marcus Rashford, who, according to the German, has a lot to offer Barcelona.
Rashford joined Barca earlier in the summer to a season -hose loan from Manchester United.
The 27-year-old made his LABERA debut last week in Barca's victory over Mallorca and became the first English player to make a competition match for the Blaugrana since Gary Lineker.
Although he was unable to get a shot, Rashford created two chances in Barca's 3-0 win.
And Flick is sure that Rashford can deliver this campaign.
“He gives us more options,” said Flick about Rashford prior to Barca's collision with Levante on Saturday.
“He feels more comfortable as a left wing player, but his qualities – his first touch, his speed – help us a lot in our playing style.
“We can look forward to enjoying a fantastic Marcus Rashford this season.”
Rashford will probably have to settle for a rotation roll at Barca, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal holding regular starting positions on the flanks.
Yamal scored a blast against Mallorca and celebrated by mimicing a crown that was placed on his head.
That made some criticism, but Flick fiercely defended the teenager.
“I don't care what people say about my team,” said Flick about Yamal.
“He is 18 years old and a fantastic player. I will help him grow in the right way, and that is what is important. What I see in his behavior is very good.”
prepared for what the next is. pic.twitter.com/vpuovz4jal
– FC Barcelona (@fcbarcelona) August 22, 2025
Players to watch
Levante – Jeremy Toljan
Levante's season started with a 2-1 loss for Alaves. Toljan scored their goal in the defeat and became the third German player who scored a goal for the club in Laliga, after Christian Lell in 2012-13 and Shkodran Mustafi in 2021-22.
But Levante will have to improve in attack if they want to get something against Barca. They only had nine accents in the box of the opposition against Alaves, equal to their lowest count in a match in their previous LaLala campaign in 2021-22 (nine in September 2021 against Celta Vigo).
Barcelona – Raphinha
Last week Raphinha became the first Brazilian player to score Barca's first goal in a LaLiga season since Ronaldinho against Athletic Bilbao in September 2007.
With his goal and assist against Mallorca, he achieved 100 target involvement for Barca in all competitions (55 goals and 45 assists).
Match forecast: Barcelona Win
Levante has won their last two home games in Laliga, while the last time they coincided three or more victories at the Ciutat de Valencia in the competition in January 2021.
But Barca has won six of their last seven games against newly promoted teams in Laliga (L1), with their only defeat in this run in a 0-1 home loss for Leganes in December 2024. Indeed, they have won each of their last five road games against such teams.
Barca did not indeed lose during one of their last 16 visits to teams of the Valencian community in Laliga (W14 D2), after losing three of their previous six road against these teams in the competition (W1 D2).
The Blaugrana have lost two of their last five visits to Levante in Laliga (W2 D1), after they have not lost any of their previous nine away against Levante in the competition (W5 D4).
Since a 3-1 victory in November 2019, Levante has won any of their last five games against Barcelona in Laliga (D1 L4).
Opta wins probability
Levante – 12.4%
Barcelona – 70.5%
Drawing – 17.1%