Arrascaeta seeks to flip 2018 script as Flamengo face Cruzeiro in Libertadores | OneFootball

Arrascaeta, once Flamengo’s tormentor with Cruzeiro in the 2018 Conmebol Libertadores last 16, now on the other side could rewrite a missing page on Wednesday at Mineirão. The Uruguayan is already a club idol set to be honoured with a bust, yet this tie offers that chance.

In 2018, Cruzeiro won 2-0 at Maracanã then lost 1-0 at Mineirão, advancing to the quarter-finals. According to Globo.com, only two players from that second leg are set to feature again, Arrascaeta and Lucas Paquetá, now both with Flamengo.

Cruzeiro were then knocked out by Boca Juniors, so Arrascaeta did not lift the trophy there. He joined Flamengo the following year and has since won three Libertadores titles, in 2019, 2022 and 2025.

Against Cruzeiro for Flamengo he has four wins, one draw and one defeat from six meetings, none in the Libertadores. He returned on 23 July against Chapecoense after 97 days out, having fractured his collarbone on 29 April versus Estudiantes, then a calf issue in early June with Uruguay meant he did not play at the World Cup.

He has built minutes since and is likely to start on Wednesday. His move from Cruzeiro to Flamengo followed a higher salary offer and a push from his camp, with Cruzeiro accusing Flamengo of tapping up. The club sold 50 percent of his rights for 13 million euros, about R$55 million, after two Copas do Brasil, one Mineiro, 50 goals, 34 when the team were level or a goal down, and 37 assists, 26 in similar scenarios.

Source: Globo.com

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