Arrascaeta and Paquetá’s Roller Coaster: Flamengo Draws with Del Valle

Flamengo put on a breath-taking display against Independiente del Valle, ending in a drastic draw of 1 to 1. And, of course, coach Leonardo Jardim’s decisions sparked plenty of discussion among the fans.

The Surprise in the Lineup

The big news was Lucas Paquetá replacing Arrascaeta as the “master of the moves.” However, the expectation didn’t pan out. Paquetá, who is the club’s most expensive signing in history, failed to shine as expected and was met with boos when he came off the pitch. What looked like a daring gamble turned into a true drama, and it was the very Arrascaeta—an idol of the red-and-black nation—who ended up doing the job, saving the day with a goal when the team was a man down, after Jorginho’s sending off.

Jardim’s Explanation

After the match, Jardim explained his choice of Paquetá. He acknowledged that the midfielder’s performance wasn’t among his best and used a typical Portuguese analogy:

“We all knew they (Del Valle) would come more aggressive, so the idea was to put Paquetá in because he’s more physical, thinking about the duels at the entrance to the box. It ended up not happening. In Portugal there’s a saying we have: 'melons are only good once you open them.' I don’t know if it means the same thing here. He didn’t have a game on his level. Thank God we have a squad that, when one of them isn’t doing well, we have another one up to the task.” - Leonardo Jardim

Where Should Paquetá Play?

Paquetá’s performance below expectations reignited the debate about his best position on the pitch. Jardim hinted that he sees him more as a defensive midfielder, despite his spell in the English Championship, where he played more wide and as an attacking midfielder. “He didn’t play in a team that proposed the game, but in one that was reactive. I see him as a defensive midfielder who can play in other positions, but first and foremost as a defensive midfielder,” explained Jardim.

Next Challenge: Red Bull Bragantino

The pressure is still on. This Sunday, Flamengo will face Red Bull Bragantino at Maracanã. But to make matters worse, Paquetá, Erick Pulgar, and Samuel Lino are suspended. That means Jardim will need to reshuffle the midfield.

With Evertton Araújo injured, players like Saúl and De la Cruz could get a chance to shine among the starters. And the big expectation is that Arrascaeta will return to the starting lineup.

The Coach’s Challenge

“Once things happen, it’s easy to be a coach. I was happy to have Arrascaeta to decide things in the second half. We have games every three days. I’ve already said he’s the exceptional player on this team, but he’s worn out because of the intensity. Sometimes I have to manage the squad to get the best Arrascaeta. We ended up with Arrascaeta of false 9 (after Jorginho’s sending off) and we drew the match” - Leonardo Jardim.

That’s it! Now, how will Flamengo do in their next game? Expectations are sky-high! ?