Barcelona's Copa del Rey semi-final hopes take a hit as Marcus Rashford joins the injury list, adding to the club's mounting woes. The English forward, on loan from Manchester United, suffered a knee injury during the weekend's LaLiga victory over Mallorca, ruling him out of the upcoming trip to the Metropolitano. This setback comes as a blow to the team, with coach Hansi Flick expressing his disappointment, stating, 'Marcus is not able to play either now.'
The situation is further complicated by the absence of key players like Pedri, Gavi, Andreas Christensen, and the uncertain return of Raphinha, who has been battling a thigh issue. Flick acknowledges the challenge, saying, 'We have to take care of him. He's a player who is always giving everything, high intensity in the game.'
Despite the injuries, Barcelona's Copa del Rey journey has been impressive, eliminating Guadalajara, Racing Santander, and Albacete en route to the last four. However, the team's success in the competition is now in question, as they face Atlético Madrid in the semi-finals, the first LaLiga team they've encountered this season. Flick humorously deflects the criticism, saying, 'Ask Real Madrid' when asked if the lack of top-flight opposition diminishes their achievements.
The second leg of the semi-final is scheduled for March 3 at Spotify Camp Nou, with the winners advancing to the final in April, where they will face either Real Sociedad or Athletic Club.
