Leonardo Jardim pushes back on Filipe Luís’s strategy after Pedro-Plata swap | OneFootball

Leonardo Jardim pushed back on comparisons to Filipe Luís after his Flamengo debut, when he replaced Pedro with Gonzalo Plata. He stressed the Ecuadorian is not a centre-forward and set out his reasoning for the call.

According to Coluna Do Fla, Jardim said he has known Plata since his Sporting days and sees him as a wide runner, quick, and valuable for pressing and compacting the block.

He pointed to Bruno Henrique’s absence with pubalgia, removing an attacking option. He added that Wallace Yan has not played for a long time and he plans to reintroduce him in a lower-risk moment.

Jardim noted that Plata is experienced and has been playing, even though he had a minor issue and trained only two days, and said the decision reflected the circumstances.

Flamengo drew 0-0 with Fluminense, then won on penalties to take the state title. It was Jardim’s first trophy in Brazil, Flamengo’s first of the year and the club’s third consecutive Carioca.

Flamengo face Cruzeiro at the Maracanã on Wednesday 11 at 21:30 Brasília time in the fifth round of the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Source: Coluna Do Fla