Paquetá relives nine-year trauma as Flamengo restart leaves title hunger unsated | OneFootball

Flamengo lost 3-2 after extra time to Lanús at a packed Maracanã, finishing Recopa Sudamericana runners-up and suffering a second missed trophy of the season. Globo.com reports that the setback has left the club in crisis, with the pain sharper for Paquetá.

For the midfielder, it echoed 2017, when Flamengo were denied by Independiente in the Copa Sudamericana final at the same venue. Then aged 20 and a starter under Reinaldo Rueda, he even filled in up front, created a gilt‑edged chance for Everton and scored, before Barco levelled from a penalty conceded by Cuéllar. Independiente had won the first leg 2-1 and held a 1-1 draw in Rio to seal the title. He also featured early in that year’s state title run.

Back now as a proven player and, at 42 million euros, South America’s costliest signing, Paquetá is still finding his place under Filipe Luís. He began on the bench against Lanús, replaced Plata on 18 minutes of the second half, drew a good save with a shot and then failed to track Canale for the equaliser.

His reappearance came in the Supercopa do Brasil loss to Corinthians, a 2-0 defeat at Mané Garrincha, when he again came on and missed a clear chance to level at 1-0. He left the Maracanã without speaking on Thursday and stayed off social media, having earlier said after the 1-1 with Inter that the start was far from what he imagined, while thanking fans.

Paquetá could get another chance on Monday when Flamengo face Madureira at the Maracanã. They can lose by up to two goals and still reach the Carioca final against Fluminense or Vasco, scheduled for Saturday or Sunday.

Source: Globo.com