On the eve of the Brazilian Serie A’s return, Flamengo is facing a true crisis in its medical department, with up to six players sidelined after the World Cup.
The euphoria surrounding the return of the Brazilian Serie A has given way to concern at Ninho do Urubu. After the break for the World Cup, Flamengo returns to action this Wednesday against Chapecoense in Chapecó (SC), facing an additional challenge: overcoming a list of absences that could include up to six important players for the squad led by Leonardo Jardim.
The period that should have been used for adjustments and rest has instead become a clinical nightmare for the club. Among the names causing concern for the coaching staff are fundamental starters: Arrascaeta, De la Cruz, Léo Ortiz, Lucas Paquetá, Luiz Araújo, and Plata.
Medical Department on High Alert
The squad’s physical condition demands extreme caution. While Arrascaeta and Léo Ortiz have the most optimistic outlooks — already doing transition work with the ball — their participation in the match against the Santa Catarina team remains uncertain.
On the other hand, cases like Lucas Paquetá’s require more patience. The midfielder, who sustained an injury during the Brazil national team’s match against Japan, remains under intensive physiotherapy care and still does not have a confirmed date for his return to the field. De la Cruz and Plata also add to the list of players who returned from the World Cup with physical limitations.
Luiz Araújo Joins the List
To worsen the situation, the red-and-black board confirmed a recent setback: Luiz Araújo. The forward suffered a tough tackle during the friendly match against Olimpia (PAR), held last Friday. Imaging tests detected an injury to his left knee, making him a definite absence for this initial phase of the Brazilian Serie A’s resumption.
Jardim Urges Caution with Squad
Head coach Leonardo Jardim did not hide his dissatisfaction with the current condition of his players. In an interview, the coach emphasized that the long inactivity of part of the squad, combined with traumatic injuries suffered by players who represented their national teams, necessitates rigorous risk management.
“In Europe, we have a preseason, stop for a month, train for five weeks, then return to optimal conditions. So, with players who haven’t trained for months, what do we need to do to get them to the highest level? That’s why we need to be very careful, and that’s my big concern: having injured players, and we have many,” affirmed the coach.
Flamengo’s challenge now is to balance the need to earn points in the standings with the physical preservation of its athletes. The match against Chapecoense will mark the first test of fire for a squad attempting to regroup after the World Cup marathon.
