Plata loses place under Leonardo Jardim as Flamengo role shifts | OneFootball

According to Coluna Do Fla, Leonardo Jardim has already reduced Plata's involvement at Flamengo. His second match in charge ended in a 2-0 win over Cruzeiro.

Across his first two games, Jardim has not started the Ecuadorian. Against Fluminense on debut, he came on at 29 minutes of the second half. Versus Cruzeiro, the number 19 stayed on the bench.

The coach is still assessing the squad but does not see Plata as a central option. He views him competing for the right flank instead.

Under Filipe Luís, Plata frequently operated as a false 9 or even a centre-forward, at times ahead of Pedro in the pecking order.

Seeking to make up lost ground, Plata also missed training on Thursday 12 after travelling to São Paulo to sort work visa paperwork.

With Plata available, Flamengo face Botafogo on Saturday 14 at 20:30 Brasília time at Estádio Nilton Santos. The teams have already met this season in the Carioca quarter-finals, Flamengo winning 2-1.

Source: Coluna Do Fla