Sports
Flamengo to Decide on Arrascaeta's Availability on Matchday
The Uruguayan midfielder accelerated his recovery from a wrist fracture and could make the squad against Estudiantes.
Flamengo will wait until Thursday morning to determine whether Giorgian de Arrascaeta will be in the squad to face Estudiantes in the Copa Libertadores. Journalist Bernardo Ramos breaks down the midfielder's swift recovery and the team's tactical options.
The decision on Arrascaeta's availability for the match against Estudiantes will only be made on Thursday morning. Flamengo chose not to release the squad list on Wednesday, making the final call contingent on how the Uruguayan player feels after taking part in team training.
In the video above, Bernardo Ramos explains the behind-the-scenes details of the midfielder's physical recovery and outlines how his return impacts the team's tactical setup during the decisive stretch of the season.
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Physical Recovery and Match Outlook
Context: it is worth noting that Arrascaeta suffered a fractured bone in his left wrist during the FIFA international window while playing for his national team against South Korea. The initial estimated recovery timeline was six weeks. However, his return to training happened ahead of schedule, opening up the possibility of the midfielder reinforcing the squad for the decisive clash.
According to Bernardo, if the player is included in the squad on Thursday morning, the most likely scenario is that he begins the match on the bench due to his recent spell on the sidelines. The journalist criticized the impact of international call-ups on club schedules, noting that the calendar includes another break prior to the Copa Libertadores final.
Fitting Carrascal into the Tactical System
Arrascaeta's recent absence made room for Carrascal to play centrally in Leonardo Jardim's 4-2-3-1 formation, which features Pulgar and Jorginho in midfield alongside Samuel Lino on the left wing. Bernardo believes the Colombian performs better centrally and orchestrating play down the left than deployed out wide on the right, as demonstrated in the match against Bahia. Leonardo Jardim previously highlighted the player's versatility in a press conference, having operated across different attacking roles during his time at Dynamo Moscow.
Despite the strong form of Carrascal and Jorginho, Bernardo emphasizes that a fully recovered Arrascaeta naturally reclaims his starting role as chief playmaker and significantly boosts the team's finishing power.
Lessons Against Argentine Teams and Approach vs. Estudiantes
Analyzing the second leg, Bernardo cited Vasco's elimination by Boca Juniors at the Maracanã as a cautionary tale of focus for Brazilian clubs. The journalist pushed back against assessments labeling the Argentine side as fragile, highlighting key players such as Paredes, Flores, Villa, and Escacibar.
For the showdown at the Maracanã, Bernardo argues that Flamengo must adopt an aggressive stance and test goalkeeper Muslera. In the first leg at Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi, the team failed to register a single shot on target—a scenario that must change to secure a spot in the continental final.
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