Alex Sandro back for Flamengo after calf problem amid Ayrton Lucas competition | OneFootball

After 46 days out with a calf problem, Alex Sandro returned for Flamengo in the 2-1 win over Corinthians at the Maracanã.

He came on at 29 minutes of the second half for Ayrton Lucas, who had asked to be replaced. According to Globo.com, persistent pain in his right calf prompted a cautious plan, with workloads reduced then increased until symptoms eased.

His previous outing was the 1-1 draw with Internacional at Beira-Rio. He felt pain that week, scans found no injury, so staff opted for caution to avoid worsening it.

Time with Brazil at the World Cup may have contributed, as those sessions differed from Flamengo’s, and he needed readaptation on return. Playing only once a week would be ideal, but the schedule means Flamengo will manage his minutes.

Alex Sandro is short of his best after the lay-off and should sharpen with training, while Ayrton is in strong form. Inside the camp the contest is regarded as natural, and Alex Sandro has praised Ayrton’s qualities.

Flamengo lead the Brasileirão on 57 points, one ahead of Palmeiras, who had topped Saturday after beating São Paulo. Next come Independiente del Valle on Thursday at 21:30 Brasília time in the Libertadores quarter-final return, then Bragantino on 20 at 18:30, both at the Maracanã.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”