Paquetá anticipates revenge against Cruzeiro and a reunion with Gerson in an emotional press conference.
The atmosphere behind the scenes at Flamengo has become one of high expectation following a press conference held by Lucas Paquetá this Monday (03) at the Ninho do Urubu training center.
Recovered from a thigh muscle injury suffered during the World Cup, the midfielder expressed optimism about his return to the pitch and detailed the sacrifices made to accelerate his recovery, including giving up his vacation.
The main focus of the interview, however, was on the upcoming and highly anticipated clash against Cruzeiro in the Copa Libertadores. Paquetá did not hide the emotional weight surrounding the match, which is marked by a sense of revenge dating back to their elimination by the team from Minas Gerais in 2018.
The reunion with his friend and former teammate, Gerson, was also a highlight, with Paquetá emphasizing the healthy rivalry that will play out on the field.
Expectations for the Crucial Duel
Lucas Paquetá stated:
I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about this game. It really is something special for me, because that was a very painful elimination, so it’s a special game for me. I hope I can come out on top this time, that Flamengo wins, and that we advance.
He also commented on Gerson:
He is a great friend of mine, a guy who was an idol here at Flamengo. Today he defends other colors, but on the pitch, it will be him on one side and me on the other, defending Flamengo, and I hope I can win.
Overcoming Challenges and Dedication
The player, who had been sidelined since June 29 after the match against Japan in the World Cup, assured that he is in good physical condition and available for the manager.
He shared the difficulty of dealing with the injury and the importance of family support, highlighting that giving up part of his vacation was not a sacrifice, but an investment in his career and the club.
Paquetá also explained his absence from the match against Internacional, citing the need to complete his physical conditioning to be at his best.
With the return of Lucas Paquetá, Flamengo gains a significant boost for their ambitions this season, especially in the pursuit of the Libertadores title.
All eyes are now on the number 20’s return to the lineup and his performance in upcoming fixtures.
