Cuca praises Lautaro Díaz after Flamengo defeat and speaks about recovering players | OneFootball

Cuca singled out Lautaro Díaz after Santos lost 3-1 to Flamengo at the Maracanã in the 10th round of the Brasileiro. The Argentine was a surprise starter and scored early in the second half before the hosts turned the game around.

According to Diario Do Peixe, the coach noted the criticism aimed at Díaz but lauded how he executed the plan and finished superbly, adding it was a pity Santos could not maintain it. He said they had recovered Díaz and other players.

It was Díaz’s first goal of the year in 11 appearances. In the Paulista, he featured in the opening seven rounds against Novorizontino, Palmeiras, Guarani, Corinthians, Bragantino, São Paulo and Noroeste.

In the league, he was left out of five matchday squads and named on the bench in another. He has appeared against Chapecoense, São Paulo, Athletico-PR and now Flamengo.

Díaz arrived on loan from Cruzeiro in September last year, with a deal until July this year, including a purchase option and the possibility of an extension to the end of the year. Last season he recorded two assists and three goals in 15 league games. For Santos overall he has two assists and four goals in 26 matches.

Born in Buenos Aires, he turns 28 in May. He began at Estudiantes de Caseros and Villa Dálmine, then joined Independiente del Valle in Ecuador, winning the Copa Sudamericana in 2022, the Recopa Sudamericana in 2023 and the Ecuadorian Super Cup in 2023, before a first Brazilian spell with Cruzeiro.

Source: Diario Do Peixe