Ecuadorian media note Valencia debut and Plata return ahead of Flamengo’s Libertadores quarters | OneFootball

Ecuadorian outlets have highlighted Anthony Valencia’s Flamengo debut and the situation of Gonzalo Plata after Flamengo won 1-0 at Remo on Sunday, before travelling to Ecuador for a Libertadores quarter-final first leg with Independiente del Valle.

Ecuagol described Valencia’s introduction in the 84th minute wearing the number 14 shirt, while Futbol Ecuador noted he had been with the squad for less than a week and said Flamengo are awaiting Plata after a proposed Dynamo Moscow move collapsed.

Valencia came on for Samuel Lino, who had scored the winner, to make his first official minutes in Brazilian football.

The 23-year-old arrived as Flamengo’s first signing of the current window in a deal worth 5 million euros, around R$ 30 million, from Royal Antwerp, having played 84 games and scored 13 goals for the Belgian side.

Argentine forward Joaquín Freitas also made his debut in Belém, replacing Pedro in the second half, meaning two new reinforcements featured in the same match.

Before facing Flamengo, Independiente del Valle beat Macará 3-1 in round 29 of the national league, rotating several starters and remaining clear at the top, with Reasco and Ronald Briones among the scorers at Banco de Guayaquil.

The first leg is scheduled for Thursday 10 in Quito at Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, kick-off 21:30 Brasília time, with Valencia and Freitas available.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

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