What Jardim must sort so Flamengo are fit for Libertadores semi? | OneFootball

Leonardo Jardim uses the FIFA international break to prepare Flamengo to face Estudiantes (ARG)

Leonardo Jardim has until October 6 to get Flamengo ready to face the toughest stretch of the season. The FIFA international break has become a work period at Ninho do Urubu, not just a time to rest. After all, right after it, Rubro-Negro will have five matches in 15 days, including the Libertadores semifinal against Estudiantes (ARG).

On Thursday (24), the squad held another training session at the club’s training center. Since returning on Tuesday (22), the coaching staff has been working with a reduced group. That is because five players are away with their national teams, while three others remain in the medical department.

Getting Plata and Ayrton Lucas back is the first mission

The most urgent issue is in the medical department. Ayrton Lucas felt pain in the back of his right thigh just 3 minutes into the 2-1 win over Red Bull Bragantino on Sunday (20). Later, tests confirmed the full-back’s injury. So far, the club has not announced a return date.

The absence is significant because Ayrton had started 12 straight matches. In addition, Alex Sandro only recently returned from tendinitis in his right calf. That makes him the main natural option at left-back when matches resume.

Gonzalo Plata is also a concern. The Ecuadorian left the field in stoppage time against Red Bull Bragantino with pain in the same thigh area. Soon after, the Ecuadorian Federation withdrew the forward from the squad after receiving Flamengo’s medical report. The document pointed to a functional muscle injury.

As a result, Plata will miss Ecuador’s friendlies against South Korea on September 24 and Japan on October 1. On the other hand, the forward has gained time to treat the injury at the club. Meanwhile, defensive midfielder Evertton Araújo, who has a grade 3 injury to the adductor in his left thigh, is only expected back in November.

Called-up players return close to the restart

Another challenge for Jardim involves the players released to their national teams. Carlo Ancelotti called up Pedro and Samuel Lino to the Brazil national team. Meanwhile, Arrascaeta and Varela are representing Uruguay, and Anthony Valencia is with Ecuador.

The Brazilian duo faces the heaviest travel schedule. Brazil will take on Australia in Townsville this Friday (25) and in Brisbane on Tuesday (29). After that, they will play India on October 3, just five days before the match against Santos.

Therefore, the coach will spend much of the break training without important names from the attacking sector. In addition, he will need to manage these players’ physical wear and tear as soon as the first round after the stoppage.

Rest for starters and a chance for those who play little

According to the plan detailed by Coluna do Fla, Rossi, Léo Pereira, Léo Ortiz and Jorginho will have a longer recovery period. That is because all four had been starting regularly before the break.

At the same time, Jardim wants to observe players with few minutes. Among them are Vitão, De La Cruz, Saúl, Luiz Araújo and Joaquín Freitas. Youth players such as Johnny, Joshua and Josmar are also expected to take part in the activities. To better assess the squad, the club is considering holding a practice match during the break.

Flamengo entered the FIFA international break at the top of the Brasileirão table and on a seven-match unbeaten run. In this way, the coaching staff is using this positive moment to expand the squad’s options.

What is Flamengo’s next match?

The restart will take place on October 8 against Santos, at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at Vila Belmiro, for the 29th round. Three days later, Rubro-Negro hosts Fluminense at the Maracanã at 5:30 p.m. (Brasília time). Both fixtures appear on the club’s official schedule.

Next comes the first leg of the semifinal, on October 15 at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), in Argentina. Estudiantes submitted a plan to Conmebol to play at Estadio UNO in La Plata. However, the proposal still depends on approval.

Between the two semifinal matches, Flamengo will also visit Bahia at Arena Fonte Nova, on a date yet to be confirmed. Finally, the place in the final will be decided on October 22 at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at the Maracanã. The matches against the Argentinians will be broadcast by ESPN.

The opponents already know each other in this edition. On April 29, in the group stage, the teams drew 1-1 in Argentina. After qualifying over Independiente del Valle (EQU), Jardim highlighted the rival’s quality:

“Estudiantes are a team we have already faced, and we know their value. They are a team that has shown this year, and has shown in recent editions of the Libertadores, their energy and the quality of their players. And we also played against Cruzeiro, which is a team full of quality. So, all opponents are strong. We have to prepare in the best possible way, always respecting everyone and trying to impose our ideas,” said the coach.

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