Midfielder Lucas Paquetá is looking forward to meeting Cruzeiro again in a decisive Libertadores clash, aiming to overcome past trauma in a Flamengo shirt.
Lucas Paquetá‘s return to Flamengo came with a clear mission: winning major titles.
This Wednesday (12), the athlete will have an iconic opportunity to prove his importance.
The Rubro-Negro faces Cruzeiro in a match valid for the Copa Libertadores Round of 16, a clash that carries extra emotional weight for the midfielder.
History of duels
The history between Paquetá and the club from Minas Gerais is marked by painful eliminations during the player’s first stint at Gávea.
In 2017, the midfielder was part of the Copa do Brasil final, where he scored Flamengo‘s goal in a 1-1 draw at the Maracanã, but ultimately fell short in the penalty shootout.
The following year, in the Libertadores itself, Cruzeiro eliminated the Rio team once again, solidifying the rivalry that the athlete now seeks to turn into a victory.
Reunion and special sentiment
Regarding the match, Lucas Paquetá does not hide its importance in his career path.
In a recent interview, the player admitted that the duel has a unique significance.
Beyond the collective aspect, the midfielder expects a personal showdown with his friend Gerson, who currently plays for the Minas Gerais club.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about this game. It’s really something special to me because it was a very sad 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 go through. Gerson is a great friend of mine, a guy who was an idol here at Flamengo, and today he defends other colors, but on the pitch, it’s him on one side and me on the other defending Flamengo, and I hope I can win.
Physical condition and next steps
After recovering from a muscle injury sustained shortly after his return from the World Cup, Paquetá returned to the pitch last Sunday (09).
The athlete played in the second half of Flamengo‘s victory over Vitória in the Brazilian Serie A, and now awaits the coaching staff’s decision on whether he will start the match against the Minas Gerais side.
The decisive clash between Cruzeiro and Flamengo takes place this Wednesday (12) at 9:30 PM (Brasília time) at the Mineirão.
The match will mark the quest of the team managed by Leonardo Jardim for an advantage in the first leg.
To follow all the details and full coverage, the M360 Team highlights that the Coluna do Fla TV broadcast will be available on YouTube, in addition to real-time updates on social media.
