RASHFORD NETS BRACE AGAIN AS BARCELONA DOMINATE OLYMPIACOS IN UCL CLASH
Marcus Rashford shines for Barcelona, scoring another brace in a 6-1 UCL rout of Olympiacos. The Manchester United loanee now leads the Champions League in goal involvements, revitalising his career in Catalonia.
Marcus Rashford has impressed yet again as Barcelona romped home against Olympiacos - Photo Credit: Getty Images
As the Manchester United misfit continues to shine for his new team, Barcelona, in Champions League action, Marcus Rashford has scored another brace.
At the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday night, the Catalan team showed no mercy to their away team, Olympiacos, as they won handily 6-1.
The Manchester-born attacker, who scored twice to start his team's Champions League campaign beginning on a high note in their opening encounter against Newcastle last month, was at the centre of yet another spectacular evening in Europe.
Hansi Flick's team was back to winning ways at home despite being pinned back by Paris Saint-Germain on their second matchday. Rashford's goals in the 74th and 79th minutes sealed the deal with Barcelona already leading 4-1.
Nevertheless, Rashford's goals gave him a remarkable new accomplishment, as the England international now leads the field in goal involvements for the tournament.
Rashford contributed five times in Europe's top division, including helping teammate Fermin Lopez against the Paris giants.
Marcus Rashford once again made an impression as Barcelona easily defeated Olympiacos at home.
The 27-year-old is currently the Champions League player with the most goal involvements.
His teammate Lopez, who scored a hat-trick and became the first Spaniard to do so for Barcelona in Champions League history, took centre stage despite being at the top of the goal involvement tree.
After temporarily leaving his boyhood club during the summer, Rashford has found newfound energy and has already scored five goals and provided five assists in 11 games for the Blaugrana.
Rashford is thought to have set a lofty personal goal for himself during a rapid start in Catalonia, demonstrating his determination to make a creative contribution.
The 27-year-old, who has only produced 27 assists in his last three Manchester United campaigns, is preparing to record between 30 and 40 assists in all competitions while wearing the Barcelona colours.
After failing to connect with new Man United boss Ruben Amorim, Rashford spent the second half of the 2024–25 season on loan at Aston Villa, where he also had a spike in form.
The midfielder seemed to attribute the Red Devils' recent on-field setbacks to the "inconsistent environment" at Old Trafford.
In the ITV interview, Rashford acknowledged that he personally wanted to "be at his best" by finding "consistency" in his game. Roy Keane, a former Manchester United player, stated that he thought the player was "part of the problem" at the club due to continuous unrest off the pitch.
Keane contended that he ought to have been establishing the norms and demonstrating to newcomers what it means to be a United player. However, that has been extensively documented. We must consider the fact that he earned this opportunity with England.
His brilliance is undeniable; he is truly amazing. However, his body language—not running back or pressing correctly—is what would have irritated fans.
With Flick's squad visiting the Bernabeu on Sunday for the first of the two sides' legendary meetings this season, Rashford will now focus on his first Clasico.
GUARDIOLA TIPS HAT TO DYCHE: ‘HE’S AMONG THE VERY BEST’
Pep Guardiola hails new Forest boss Sean Dyche as "the best" at set-pieces, noting the trend isn't new. He also revealed that Man City has struggled with dead-ball situations this season compared to rivals like Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola shaking hands with Sean Dyche - COURTESY/PHOTO
According to Pep Guardiola, Nottingham Forest has one of the best representatives of the new fascination in football at their disposal.
Although Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, and their ability to score goals from set pieces are admired by the football community, Guardiola has reminded everyone that the idea is not particularly new.
As demonstrated during his tenure as Burnley's manager from 2012 to 2012, he did, in fact, hail incoming Forest manager Sean Dyche as "one of the greatest."
The 54-year-old guided the Clarets into the Premier League and kept them there for six seasons before exiting Turf Moor.
Forest, who have only won one league game so far and are now in third place, can now access that knowledge.
Man City boss Guardiola said, “It’s true that people utilise every throw-in like a corner and put 10 players there in the box.
"Every move (Michael) Kayode made in the box caused us to suffer when we played at Brentford or watched Brentford play Liverpool in our hotel. Additionally, Kayode was the match's man.
“Today, set pieces are a menace. I recall being in Burnley a long time ago with Sean Dyche. Burnley posed a serious threat in the second and long balls.
"Dyche is by far the finest at these kinds of things. He has already done it; therefore, it is not fresh.
Or Sam Allardyce. Or I recall Stoke City when I was not here. Do you recall the throws made by Stoke City?
Maybe Stoke was the anomaly back then, but more and more teams are doing that now.
"I recall that Arsene Wenger mentioned playing at Stoke City while I was at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but these days it happens frequently.
It may have happened (only) at Burnley or not at all when I got there, but it is a fact now. You must also pay attention. I still want to play, though.
This season, Arsenal has already scored nine league goals from set pieces, five from open play, and two from penalties.
With eight (plus eight from open play and one penalty), Chelsea is not far behind.
On the other end of the scale, though, are Forest and Man City. While City has scored 12 goals from open play, three more on the counterattack, and two own goals, they have yet to score from a set piece. The Reds have scored two of their five goals from restarts.
"Every manager does what they think," Guardiola stated. I am not ignorant of the fact that I want to score from corners and free kicks. I desire it. However, I dedicate my time to what we need to do to improve our play, attack, and generate opportunities. to score goals.
I pay attention, of course, but I am aware that I am not the manager to try to; I have done that my entire career. When things became rough at Burnley, I recall that we gave up maybe one corner, if any, as the second balls were under our control. That is the most effective method of defending these games.
However, you need to be strong in many areas for that, and we are working on it. I will keep working mostly on our game till the very end. And occasionally, as necessary, adjust.
At Brentford, we performed quite well. James, the French set-piece coach, did a fantastic job of enticing our guys into defending these kinds of acts. The same was true at Arsenal: it was amazing. We did not control the game against Arsenal; therefore, we gave up a lot of corners.
NAPOLI TAKE THREE-POINT LEAD AFTER CLOSE WIN AGAINST LECCE
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's header secured a 1-0 win for Napoli over Lecce, moving them top of Serie A. The victory was sealed after Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved a Francesco Camarda penalty.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa celebrates scoring - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa scored another goal to give Napoli a narrow victory over Lecce, although Vanja Milinkovic-Savic also saved a penalty kick from Francesco Camarda.
The thrilling 3-1 victory against Inter put the Partenopei back atop the league, but it came at a price: Kevin De Bruyne will miss several months of action due to a significant thigh strain. Rasmus Hojlund and Amir Rrahmani returned to the bench, but Stanislav Lobotka, Alex Meret, and Romelu Lukaku remained on the treatment table. Leonardo Spinazzola and Scott McTominay were rested, and the 4-3-3 formation was reinstated. Following the 3-2 loss to Udinese, Lecce was without Gaby Jean, Filip Marchwinski, Matias Perez, and Riccardo Sottil.
Billy Gilmour's attempt was deflected wide as Napoli wore their special edition Halloween uniform, but Lorenzo Lucca unintentionally charged down a Matteo Politano strike that was on target.
On the Matias Olivera pull-back, Politano turned over from six yards out, while Medon Berisha also threatened by drilling wide from the area's edge.
Olivera had been put clear by a clever Gilmour first-touch lay-off, but Wladimiro Falcone made a fantastic stop with his legs at the near post.
On the cusp of halftime, Francesco Camarda's chest and half-volley was inches wide, yet it would not have been considered handball.
Moments after the restart, Noa Lang added to the growing list of Napoli players out after hobbling off with a hit to the thigh just above the left knee.
Lucca sprinted onto a long ball that Falcone hurried out to nod clear, and Politano's follow-up was charged down with the goalie off his line, creating a double chance to open the score.
After a VAR review, the Lecce penalty was given because Kialonda Gaspar's header on a corner seemed to hit Juan Jesus' hand, which bent back on impact. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who has saved five of the past nine Serie A penalties faced, demonstrated his expertise by parrying the spot-kick when Camarda stepped up.
Hojlund made his comeback from injury, with McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola reinforcing the team off the bench for the final half-hour.
It paid off, as a free kick from David Neres was glanced into the far top corner off the head of Anguissa from six yards out, giving Napoli the lead.
Nikola Stulic was too slow to capitalise on a Danilo Veiga pull-back, Elmas shot wide, and Hojlund missed the Neres assist in stoppages.