Lucas Paquetá doubles down, targets 20 goals for Flamengo this year | OneFootball

Midfielder celebrated his goal target for the season and his return to playing 90 minutes after the injury suffered at the World Cup

Lucas Paquetá celebrated reaching the 10-goal mark this season after Flamengo’s 2-0 win over Mirassol. In an interview in the mixed zone, the midfielder highlighted his satisfaction at overcoming the difficulties of playing in a deeper role. He also revealed his new goal: to reach 20 goals this year.

What did Lucas Paquetá say about reaching 10 goals?

– I think that when I arrived I had the goal of scoring at least 10 goals. Of course, playing a little deeper makes it hard to score that many, but I’ve already got 10 -, said the midfielder, who added:

– So now the aim is 20 and to dream of even more goals to help Flamengo win. After the World Cup injury, being able to play 90 minutes again. Well, I’m available, doing my best and helping Flamengo -, Paquetá said.

What are Lucas Paquetá’s numbers this season?

Lucas Paquetá has 10 goals and no assists in 31 matches played this year. These numbers underline the midfielder’s progress in a deeper role on the pitch. Compared with previous seasons, they also show the scale of his offensive improvement.

In 2018, the highest-scoring season of his career, Lucas Paquetá scored 12 goals and provided six assists in 56 matches. However, the number of games that year was much higher than what he has played so far in 2026.

Why does Lucas Paquetá play in a deeper role?

Lucas Paquetá’s original position was as an attacking midfielder, closer to the forward line. His current role, deeper on the pitch, demands constant tactical adjustment throughout matches. As a result, the midfielder has also helped the team as a holding midfielder.

Who is Paquetá competing with for a starting spot at Flamengo?

– He’s not competing (for a spot) with anyone. I was talking to Paquetá just now at the end of the game and congratulating him, because I think he played one of his best matches with us. He’s had good games before, but today he had a great game, very solid -, Jardim said, before adding:

– In the first half as an attacking midfielder and in the second as a midfielder. I told him: “your transfer was expensive because you can play in more than one or two positions. That’s why you’re worth more than those who only play in one” -, the Portuguese coach said at a press conference.

When is Flamengo’s next match?

Flamengo’s next match is against Remo this Sunday (06). The game will take place at Mangueirão, in Belém, at 4 p.m. Brasília time. Lucas Paquetá will be looking to improve his numbers again in another challenge in the 26th round of the Brasileirão.

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