Cup injury, Cruzeiro rematch, Gerson reunion: Paquetá, “I’d be lying if…” | OneFootball

Lucas Paquetá held a press conference this Monday (03) at the Ninho do Urubu Training Center

Ready to return to the pitch after a thigh injury, Lucas Paquetá gave a press conference this Monday (03) at the Ninho do Urubu Training Center. The player celebrated the end of his time out after the injury suffered during the World Cup, detailed the process of overcoming it, and spoke about giving up his vacation to speed up his recovery.

In addition to opening up about the injury, the number 20 answered reporter Rodrigo Lima from Coluna do Fla, looking ahead to the highly anticipated clash against Cruzeiro in the Libertadores, with a hint of revenge in the air. It is worth remembering that the player was part of the Rio team’s elimination by the Minas Gerais rival in 2018.

— I’d be lying if I said I’m not thinking about that game. It really is something special for me, because it was a very painful elimination, so it’s a special game for me. I hope I can come out on top this time, that Flamengo win, that we go through. Gerson is a great friend of mine, a guy who was an idol here at Flamengo, and today he wears different colors, but on the field it’s him on one side and me on the other defending Flamengo, and I hope I can win -, he said.

Flamengo will face Cruzeiro on August 12 and 19 in the Round of 16 of the Libertadores. On that occasion, Rubro-Negro will meet Gerson again, currently with the Minas Gerais side, but who made his name in the history of the Rio club by winning several titles in the Sacred Jersey, including the continental title in 2019.

WHY DIDN’T HE PLAY AGAINST INTERNACIONAL?

Injured since June 29, when he left the field in the match against Japan at the World Cup, Paquetá said he feels good and is available for Flamengo. It is worth noting that the midfielder had already been medically cleared to play against Internacional, but was not yet in ideal physical condition.

— It was difficult, obviously, to miss the World Cup because of an injury, as I had been playing well. We have to be ready to go through everything. I had the support of my family and gave up my short vacation, but that’s not a sacrifice, it’s for the good of my career and for the good of Flamengo -, he said.

— I had two training sessions before the Internacional match. So physically I still wasn’t fit enough in that sense, to handle an intense game. That’s why the technical staff chose to let me train a little more so I could be better prepared for the match on the 9th -, he added.

UNHAPPY WITH THE CURRENT MOMENT?

Flamengo are going through a period of scrutiny this season after the return of official matches following the World Cup. In total, Leonardo Jardim’s team have two draws and one win, and the Rio side saw the gap widen in the Brasileirão in relation to leaders Palmeiras. About this moment of pressure, Paquetá spoke and looked ahead to Rubro-Negro’s response.

— All of us are unhappy with the team’s performances. We’re not happy. It has more to do with us than with him (Leonardo Jardim). It’s about trying more and more to understand the ideas and characteristics and adapt; we’ve already been working together for a while. We’re trying to improve individually, whether on the pitch, in the gym, or at home, so Flamengo can start winning again -, he said.

READ OTHER ANSWERS FROM PAQUETÁ:

WHAT IS FLAMENGO’S CURRENT PROBLEM?

— That role (of pointing it out) isn’t mine, but I think it’s a bit of everything. The team’s characteristics—if we lose control of the game, that’s bad for the way we play—but I think these are moments. Many players are coming back from a World Cup, finding themselves again, some in different situations than others, dealing with injuries or regaining physical form. So I think all of that affects performance a little. It can’t be an excuse; we have to try to do our best on the field so Flamengo can win.

THE MOMENT OF BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL

— I think Brazilian football is growing. Big names are coming here because they understand that it is growing. Some teams are ahead, of course, but the matches are very competitive. It’s hard to name a favorite, and that makes foreign players want to come here. It was a privilege to play in the World Cup as a player based here.

WHAT CAN HELP FLAMENGO IMPROVE?

— It’s the day-to-day work. Having the squad split up (because of the World Cup) is bad for the coach. Some come back with habits from the other team, which is normal. It’s about adapting to the ideas we have here so we can start winning games again.

INTERNAL PRESSURE?

— It’s daily pressure. It’s doing one extra drill, one extra finish, understanding what each person can do more, becoming a better group when it comes to demanding more and listening. We do that every day.

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE GAME AGAINST CRUZEIRO IN THE LIBERTADORES

— It’s Flamengo’s biggest game of the year, but we can’t forget Vitória beforehand; we also want the league title. We follow Cruzeiro, but we have to focus on ourselves, on improving. It’s about thinking of winning.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF SEMI-AUTOMATED OFFSIDE?

— Anything done to improve decision-making is welcome if it’s done well. We’re happy to have an update that can be better for us. As for refereeing controversies, that’s for the board to deal with.

ADAPTING TO LEONARDO JARDIM’S STYLE OF PLAY

— I think it’s part of football. When you have a team split up, it takes time to unify ideas. Now everyone is available, except Luiz Araújo, who is recovering, and that’s good for the coach. I hope we can adapt; we know we need to improve.

PERSONAL GOAL FOR THE SEASON?

— I intend to do what I’ve always done throughout my career, which is to do my best, regardless of what people say or think. Today this is the club of my heart, so it’s much easier for me to be better every day, to do my best on the field, obviously within my characteristics and my style of play. And I hope to help Flamengo, whether with goals, assists, defending, whatever is needed. On the field I try to give my best, and I will keep doing that, not only for the rest of the season, but for as long as I’m here.

ABOUT REUNITING WITH THE FANS AT THE MARACANÃ

— I was very eager to get back to training as soon as possible. It’s something I demand a lot of from myself, and nowadays being on the field with everyone, with the fans, even closer to playing again, being at the Maracanã… I’m very happy, excited too, and I hope it will be a victorious reunion.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.