Léo Pereira misses Flamengo training, but tests rule out serious injury; defender is a doubt for the start of the Libertadores
Léo Pereira may be a concern for manager Leonardo Jardim in Flamengo‘s upcoming matches. Although medical exams have ruled out a serious injury, the defender is dealing with knee edema and has become a doubt for the fixtures leading up to the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 matchups against Cruzeiro, scheduled for August 12 and 19.
The defender missed training this Friday (21) at Ninho do Urubu after feeling pain in his left knee during the match against Internacional, valid for the 21st round of the Brazilian Serie A. Although he tried to stay on the pitch, Pereira had to be substituted in the second half.
The expectation is that the center-back will be fit for the duel against Vitória, scheduled for August 9, but the priority is a full recovery for the decisive Libertadores clashes. Currently, the squad has Danilo, Léo Ortiz, Vitão, Johnny, João Victor, and Daniel Thuram as options for the defense.
In the medical department, in addition to Léo Pereira, Flamengo is monitoring Gonzalo Plata and Luiz Araújo. Journalist João Vítor Reis, from Coluna do Fla, highlighted the importance of not rushing the defender’s return:
It is great news that a serious injury was ruled out. […] However, I am against rushing his recovery. Let the guy rest against Vitória and Mirassol.
Equipe M360
