Flamengo blame Marcelo Bielsa for Arrascaeta injury, monitor recovery as Uruguay opener looms | OneFootball

Flamengo blame Marcelo Bielsa for Arrascaeta’s new grade two right-calf injury and are monitoring his recovery as Uruguay begin their World Cup campaign.

"A área médica concordou com o programa, garantiu que ele seguiria e não voltaria a campo antes de 15 dias. Não foi cumprido. O técnico manda ele voltar antes, força a mão e o atleta acaba se contundindo", he said to Charla Podcast.

Uruguay face Saudi Arabia on Monday at 19:00 Brasília time, and Arrascaeta will not feature. The initial expectation is that he could play the third group match against Spain.

Bielsa has also been linked to Ronald Araújo’s injury, after the defender’s brother criticised his staff.

Flamengo kept close contact with Uruguay throughout qualifiers and friendlies, providing a workload plan for Arrascaeta and De la Cruz after releasing him early for World Cup preparation. Following the setback, physiotherapist Laniyan Neves joined the national-team staff to monitor the midfielder and align processes.

Bielsa has said he will not renew his contract after the tournament. Flamengo expect the squad could finally be at full strength once the World Cup break ends.

Source: Globo.com