Will Alex Sandro start for Flamengo after the internationals? Find out | OneFootball

The return of the FIFA international break will find Flamengo facing a problem that seemed under control until a few days ago. Alex Sandro, who spent nearly two months sidelined, is once again the main option at left-back after Ayrton Lucas’ injury.

RTI Esporte Agency has learned that the veteran will play an important role in the remainder of October. Ayrton Lucas suffered a grade 2 muscle injury in his right thigh and is expected to be out for four to six weeks, a period that includes decisive matches in Flamengo’s schedule.

Ayrton Lucas had been an important option for Leonardo Jardim. The full-back played 12 consecutive matches before getting injured five minutes into the clash with Bragantino, in the last match before the FIFA international break.

That run allowed Leonardo Jardim to manage Alex Sandro’s return. Now, with Ayrton Lucas injured, Flamengo will face the Libertadores semifinal against Estudiantes, in addition to important Brasileirão matches against Santos and Fluminense.

Veteran will have to regain match fitness

Alex Sandro also heads into this period with a physical issue to be managed. After the World Cup, the full-back was sidelined with pain in his right calf and went through a recovery marked by caution and a few setbacks.

Since returning, Jardim had been managing his minutes precisely to avoid another overload. Against Bragantino, however, that plan changed quickly. With Ayrton Lucas’ injury, Alex Sandro had to stay on the field for the remaining 85 minutes.

The FIFA international break therefore comes as an opportunity to get the player physically ready before the most demanding stretch of the season. The challenge will be to get him back up to competitive speed without turning the need to use him into another medical problem.

Flamengo has few alternatives

The situation also exposes the squad’s limited room for maneuver. Johnny is the youngest option for the position and has been training with the senior team, but he still has little experience with Flamengo’s first team.

His only appearance this season came in August against Mirassol, when he played for 20 minutes. If Johnny is still not ready to take over at left-back, Jardim may need to turn to an improvised solution.

Guillermo Varela or even a center-back could be alternatives in an emergency, but none of them naturally performs the role of a natural left-back. Alex Sandro, therefore, now takes on even greater responsibility.

At 35, Alex Sandro has made 27 appearances this season and renewed his contract through 2027. The deal reinforces Flamengo’s confidence in his experience. With Ayrton Lucas injured, the veteran will have an even bigger role in the decisive stretch of the year.

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