Ayrton Lucas reflects on form at Flamengo and urges focus for season run-in | OneFootball

Ayrton Lucas says his confidence has returned after a slow start at Flamengo and has urged the league leaders to keep their focus through the run-in while he recovers from injury.

"I am happy because I think that is what every player seeks, to have confidence and be playing well. I had a very below-par start, I managed to turn it around. I am happy to help my team-mates in attack and in defence, which is important for the group," he told FlamengoTV.

A calf injury to Alex Sandro opened the door for a sustained run under Leonardo Jardim, and Lucas took over as first choice. He has recorded four assists in 32 appearances this season, including 26 starts.

He was injured in the 2-1 win over Red Bull Bragantino on 20 September, feeling pain after a sprint and going off early in the first half. Tests showed a grade 2 muscle injury to the back of his right thigh. He has moved on to work on the grass without pain in recent days, and the club are weighing up the next steps before setting a return date.

Flamengo top the Brasileirão and are into the Libertadores semi-finals against Estudiantes of Argentina, with the title race with Palmeiras still tight. "As a team we are in a very good moment. We put together a very good run of wins and secured qualification when the side went top of the Brasileiro, so we need focus until the end to achieve our objectives."

Source: Coluna Do Fla

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