Flamengo weigh midfield fixes without Arrascaeta as Jorginho suspended for Libertadores semi | OneFootball

Flamengo will return from the international break without Arrascaeta, who has fractured his left wrist, and Jorginho will be banned against Estudiantes in the Libertadores semi-final window from 15 to 22 October. According to Globo.com, Leonardo Jardim is weighing midfield reshuffles, with Arrascaeta expected to miss the semi-finals.

Lucas Paquetá, the costliest signing in Flamengo and Brazilian football history, is the headline option. He can operate as a playmaker, but has fluctuated there under Jardim, who views him more as a second midfielder competing for Jorginho’s role.

Samuel Lino thrived as a No 10 during the mid-season camp in Portugal and the first matches after the World Cup. Moving him inside, however, would mean taking him away from a position where he has been in outstanding form.

Jorge Carrascal is another, perhaps likelier, solution. Signed as Arrascaeta’s understudy, he settled once freed from that tag, and could now be restored centrally rather than used on the right. Gonzalo Plata has also played through the middle and remains an option.

Jorginho’s suspension follows his red card in the 1-1 draw with Independiente Del Valle, which sealed progression after the 2-0 first leg. He was cautioned 10 minutes into the second half for halting a counter, then received a second yellow nine minutes later after catching Alcívar in the face while shielding the ball. With Evertton Araújo out with a serious muscle injury until November, alternatives in midfield include Paquetá, Saúl and De La Cruz for the match in La Plata.

Source: Globo.com

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