Plata back in training and could boost Flamengo against Santos | OneFootball

Forward overcame discomfort in his right thigh, while Ayrton Lucas remains under the care of the medical department during the FIFA international break

Flamengo received good news at Ninho do Urubu this Wednesday (30). Recovered from discomfort in his right thigh, forward Gonzalo Plata returned to training with the squad and could bolster Leonardo Jardim’s group against Santos.

The session marked the squad’s return after four days off during the FIFA international break. The schedule now includes training through Saturday (03) and rest on Sunday (04).

That gives the coach a little over a week to prepare the team. The next match is on October 8 against Santos at Vila Belmiro, for the 29th round of the Brasileirão.

Pain against Bragantino kept Plata out of the Ecuador national team

The issue arose in the final minutes of the 2-1 win over Bragantino at the Maracanã on Sunday (20). At the time, Plata complained of pain in the back of his right thigh.

Because of that, the forward was ultimately withdrawn from the Ecuador national team. Plata had been included in Marcelo Gallardo’s squad for the friendlies against South Korea and Japan.

According to a statement from the Ecuadorian federation, the issue was functional muscular in nature. The federation made the decision after speaking with Flamengo’s medical department.

As a result, Plata remained in Rio de Janeiro to continue treatment. Tests carried out when the squad reconvened on September 23 did not detect any injury in the area.

Last week, the Ecuadorian was already doing light activities, as reported by Coluna do Fla reporter Rodrigo Lima. This Wednesday (30), the winger took the next step and returned to working with the group.

Ayrton Lucas still needs more time

Ayrton Lucas’s situation is different. The left back was also injured against Bragantino, still in the first half, while trying to make a run. Alex Sandro then came on in his place.

Unlike Plata, the No. 6 suffered a muscle injury in the back of his right thigh. The initial estimate pointed to around a month and a half of recovery.

Ayrton made good progress during the first week of the break. Even so, the full-back remains under the care of the medical department. If the initial timeline is confirmed, his return will be in early November.

Flamengo racks up absences before decisive run

Plata’s return eases a list of problems that grew during the FIFA international break. On Monday (28), Arrascaeta fractured his left wrist in Uruguay’s 4-1 win over South Korea.

Shortly after, Flamengo confirmed the fracture in an official statement and announced surgery had been recommended. The midfielder is expected to undergo the procedure this Thursday (1), with no return date yet defined.

In addition, defensive midfielder Evertton Araújo remains sidelined. He is being treated for a grade 3 muscle injury in the adductor of his left thigh.

The schedule increases the importance of every player who returns. Flamengo leads the Brasileirão with 60 points, three ahead of Palmeiras. Then, on October 15 and 22, they face Estudiantes (ARG) in the Libertadores semifinal.

So when is Flamengo’s next match?

Flamengo returns to the field on Thursday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time), against Santos at Vila Belmiro. Premiere, on the pay-per-view system, will broadcast the match.

Until then, Plata’s response to the training load will indicate whether Leonardo Jardim will include him in the squad. On the other hand, Ayrton Lucas and Arrascaeta remain out of the coaching staff’s immediate plans.

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