Paquetá ‘all-action’, as ‘No 34’, keeps Jardim up at Flamengo | OneFootball

Lucas Paquetá played ‘everywhere’ against Mirassol

“I was talking to Paquetá just now at the end of the match and congratulating him, because I think he had one of his best games with us.” That is how Leonardo Jardim summed up the midfielder’s performance in Flamengo’s 2-0 win over Mirassol, in the rescheduled match from the fourth round of the Brasileirão, at the Maracanã. Just a midfielder? On Wednesday (02), he was an ‘all-over-the-pitch player’.

Lucas Paquetá played ‘everywhere’ against Mirassol, and that is why he delighted coach Leonardo Jardim. On the other hand, who does the midfielder replace? It is important to remember that in the team’s biggest game of the year so far, against Cruzeiro in the Libertadores, the academy product started on the bench. But after a performance in the best ‘shirt 34’ style, the player is making his case.

WHY SHIRT 34?

Against Mirassol, Lucas Paquetá started as a playmaker, like a true number 10. With great one-twos in that area, especially with old friend Pedro, the academy product helped create good attacking moves for Flamengo. In the 42nd minute of the first half, the player brought back memories of the 2017 Paquetá, under coach Reinaldo Rueda.

At the start of his career, Paquetá even played as a center forward. Shortly before halftime against Mirassol, the midfielder became a ‘9’ and headed the ball, Pedro-style, into the back of the net after a cross from Jorge Carrascal. Paquetá was a 9! Add it up: he started as a 10 and scored like a 9: 19.

With Erick Pulgar and Jorginho dealing with physical issues, Leonardo Jardim brought on Arrascaeta and dropped Paquetá deeper to play the number 8 role. Showing great understanding with the Italian-Brazilian, the holding midfielders alternated, one pushing forward more than the other and vice versa. So the man wearing shirt 20 also had moments as a number 5: 10+9+8+5= 32.

There are still two more missing to reach the total this author put in the headline. Well then, Lucas Paquetá also played as a right-back helper, like a good number 2, during the time he was on the pitch against Mirassol. Who doesn’t remember the slide tackle he made in the first half right by the corner flag? There were several moments when the academy product provided cover on that side. Therefore, 10+9+8+5+2=34.

SO NOW WHAT, JARDIM?

Lucas Paquetá, shirt 20, who plays in every position, a starter for the Brazilian National Team at the World Cup, is going to replace whom at Flamengo? Will Jardim take out Jorginho, Pulgar, or Arrascaeta? So does Paquetá go into the attack, in place of Samuel Lino, one of the team’s standouts this season, or instead of Carrascal, who is enjoying his best spell of the year? Will he be the new 9, taking Pedro’s spot? Figure it out, coach!

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