Injury, Cruzeiro revenge, Gerson reunion: Paquetá on Flamengo return | OneFootball

Lucas Paquetá held a press conference this Monday (03) at CT Ninho do Urubu

Ready to return to the pitch after a thigh injury, Lucas Paquetá gave a press conference this Monday (03) at CT Ninho do Urubu. The player celebrated the end of his spell on the sidelines after the injury he suffered at 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 No. 20 answered reporter Rodrigo Lima, from Coluna do Fla, and looked ahead to the eagerly awaited clash against Cruzeiro in the Libertadores, with a revenge atmosphere in the air. It is worth remembering that the player was part of the Rio side that was eliminated by the Minas Gerais rival in 2018.

— I’d be lying if I said I’m not thinking about this game. It really is something special for me, because it was a very sad 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 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, the Rubro-Negro will meet Gerson again, currently with the Minas Gerais side, but someone who left 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 during 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 he was not yet in ideal physical condition.

— It was difficult, obviously, to miss the World Cup because of an injury, especially since 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 endure a tough game. That’s why the technical decision was made for me to train a little more so I could arrive better prepared for the game on the 9th -, he added.

DISSATISFACTION 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 side have recorded two draws and one win, and the Rio team has seen the gap widen in the Brasileirão in relation to leaders Palmeiras. Asked about this period of pressure, Paquetá acknowledged it and projected a reaction from Rubro-Negro.

— All of us are dissatisfied 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 get back to winning -, 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 style means that if we lose control of the game, that’s bad for the way we play, but I think these are phases. Many players are coming back from a World Cup, finding themselves again, some in different situations than others, with injuries or getting back into physical shape. So I think all of that affects this issue of performance a little. It can’t be an excuse — we have to strive to do our best on the pitch so Flamengo can win.

THE CURRENT STATE OF BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL

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

WHAT CAN HELP FLAMENGO IMPROVE?

— It’s the day-to-day work. Having a split group (because of the World Cup) is bad for the coach. Some come back with habits from another team, and that’s normal. It’s about adapting to the idea we have here so we can start winning games again.

INTERNAL PRESSURE?

— It’s daily pressure. It’s one extra drill, one extra shot, understanding what each person can do more, being 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 first; we also want the Brasileirão. We follow Cruzeiro, but we have to focus on ourselves, on improving. The goal is to win.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF SEMI-AUTOMATED OFFSIDE?

— Anything done to improve decision-making is welcome if it’s done properly. 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 split squad, 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 get better every day and do my best on the pitch, obviously within my characteristics, within my style of football. And I hope to help Flamengo — with goals, assists, defending, whatever it may be. On the pitch I try to give my best, and I will keep doing that, not only for the rest of the season, but for all the time I’m here.

ABOUT MEETING THE FANS AGAIN AT THE MARACANÃ

— I was really eager to get back to training as soon as possible. It’s something I put a lot of pressure on myself about, and nowadays, being able to be on the field with everyone, with the fans, even closer to returning to play, to be at the Maraca… so I’m very happy, also excited, 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.