Paquetá’s first month back at Flamengo, highs and lows across eight games and one goal | OneFootball

On Saturday, Lucas Paquetá marked one month since returning to Flamengo as the most expensive signing in South American football, a spell of eight appearances, one goal and title setbacks. According to Globo.com, he has shown flashes but is still short of peak form.

After a long pursuit he landed in Rio on 29 January, greeted by hundreds of supporters. He said the club might not have needed him, but he needed Flamengo.

Rushed straight into the Supercopa against Corinthians at Mané Garrincha the next day, he re-debuted before a full house. He missed a late chance to equalise and later lamented the moment in defeat.

The response arrived against Sampaio Corrêa, when he dropped into a number eight role and shone in a 7-1 win.

He repeated that brief in the Botafogo quarter-final, linking play and scoring the opener, his only goal since returning. A 2-1 derby victory sealed a Carioca semi-final spot, complete with his familiar dance celebration.

Focus then turned to the Recopa with Lanús, where he struggled from the same deeper berth as Flamengo lost the first leg 1-0. He began the return on the bench, came on after the break and again fell below expectations.

Filipe Luís and Paquetá are still fine-tuning his best position. The coach prefers him nearer goal, while Paquetá appears more comfortable closer to the build-up. With February packed with high-stakes games, the club expects growing cohesion, adaptation and a settled role could prompt his evolution.

Source: Globo.com