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Former Flamengo coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo wants Paquetá to play deeper

The best position for Lucas Paquetá on the field has become a topic of debate among fans and even came up in an interview with the player. Former coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo weighed in on the matter. For Luxa, the number 20 should play deeper, as a second defensive midfielder.

See this photo on Instagram A post shared by Vanderlei Luxemburgo (@luxaoficial)

— I’ve been watching Paquetá for a long time... He’s not the guy Flamengo signed to be a playmaker, a finisher, the organizer, and a goalscorer. He’s not that guy. That’s Arrascaeta. Now, if he plays as a defensive midfielder, with the physical condition he has, with his skill, with the same positioning as Danilo, who plays for Botafogo and is now with the national team, I think he will become a top-level player — said Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

— He has strength, technique and skill. Coming from deeper, he can see everything that’s happening. Playing with two in line or ‘one and two,’ almost a diamond, with him on the right or the left. He will work very well. He can be a great signing, not up front to organize, but from behind — added the coach in a video on social media.

WHAT DOES LUCAS PAQUETÁ THINK ABOUT THE ISSUE?

After the win over Santos, when he came on to play as a second defensive midfielder, Lucas Paquetá was asked which position he prefers to play. The midfielder did not hesitate and said he prefers to play centrally, but made himself available to perform other roles.

— Man, I always try to make myself available, to give the coach freedom to decide, but we talk a lot. He knows that playing through the middle of the field is a situation that makes me more comfortable -, said Paquetá, who added:

— But as he himself says, when I play out wide, I’m not a winger. I come inside and drift to the right. But of course second defensive midfielder is a role I’ve already played, including at the World Cup; that’s how I played for most of my career. But as I said, I’m available to do my best and help Flamengo -, said the midfielder.

WHAT POSITION WILL LUCAS PAQUETÁ PLAY AGAINST CUSCO?

Without Jorginho and without Erick Pulgar, there is a possibility that Lucas Paquetá will play as a defensive midfielder, as suggested by Vanderlei Luxemburgo, against Cusco (PER). Therefore, Evertton Araújo is the favorite to handle the marking, with the number 20 and De La Cruz battling to see who will also start the match.

Flamengo and Cusco face off this Wednesday (08) at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at high altitude in Cusco, Peru. If Mengão is on the field, then there is full coverage from Coluna do Fla for the Libertadores opener. In addition, Globo (free-to-air), GETV (YouTube) and Paramount Plus (streaming) will broadcast the match.

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