Marcus Rashford is relishing his first El Clasico against Real Madrid and says playing in that level of match is ‘why I came’ to Barcelona.
Rashford’s impressive form since his loan move to Barca continued on Tuesday as he scored twice in the 6-1 Champions League win over Olympiakos.
The 27-year-old has now scored five goals and made four assists since joining Barcelona on loan from Manchester United.
Rashford will get his first taste of El Clasico this weekend when Barcelona travel to the Bernabeu to face La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Hansi Flick’s side visit Madrid knowing they will claim top spot from their arch-rivals if they manage to return to Barca with the three points.
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‘The match against Real Madrid is important and one of the reasons I came here,’ Rashford said after Barcelona thrashed Olympiakos. ‘I’m looking forward to it.’
Rashford had stagnated at boyhood club Manchester United and found himself out of the team under Old Trafford boss Ruben Amorim.
Amorim sanctioned Rashford’s loan move to Aston Villa last season and included the England star in his summer ‘bomb squad’.
As part of the loan deal, Manchester United agreed to sell Rashford to Barcelona on a permanent transfer next summer for around £30m.
Speaking after the emphatic victory over Olympiakos, Rashford said: ‘This is a very good team to enjoy your football in.
‘I’m pleased with the performance today, especially in the second half. Even though it was obviously difficult for them with ten men, we used the spaces better and our timing was better.
‘I think in the first half we were also excellent but the second half we were quicker. Hansi Flick is a very demanding coach of us and intensity is one of his main themes.
‘Not only that, but he wants us to show the intent to go for more and more goals. Sometimes it’s difficult to break opponents down, but we have so many goalscoring players in different areas that getting goals is the least of our worries.’
Asked how it is playing alongside young superstars Lamine Yamal and Pedri, a grinning Rashford added: ‘Both are terrific on the ball. But remember that other teams know that too!
‘So, for me, the timing I have to show is important. I’m learning. I try to improve how I work with these guys and am trying to get in the right areas to assist or score goals because of them.’
Yamal was also on the scoresheet against Olympiakos, while Fermin Lopez scored a hat-trick to send Barcelona into the top-half of the Champions League table.
Barcelona lost their last Champions League game to holders PSG but bounced back well against Greek side Olympiakos.
‘I always think positively,’ Barca boss Flick said. ‘We are able to go and win in Madrid now, we have a good team.
‘Maybe we get two players back for the weekend but importantly we have this huge victory now, over Olympiacos, which brings us confidence.’
While Barcelona thrashed Olympiakos last time out, Real Madrid ().
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