Defender sidelined by leg laceration sustained against Atlético-MG; Flamengo leads Copa Libertadores Group A with perfect record.
4:26 PM
Flamengo will be without defender Léo Pereira for Wednesday's Copa Libertadores match against Estudiantes in La Plata, Argentina, the club announced Tuesday.
Pereira sustained a deep laceration on his left shin during Sunday's 4-0 victory over Atlético-MG in the Brazilian league at Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte. The defender received stitches at the stadium and remains in the healing process, making him unavailable for the trip to Buenos Aires, according to a club statement.
Pereira was replaced by Vitão at the 41-minute mark of the second half during the Atlético-MG match. Midfielder Lucas Paquetá, who has a left thigh edema, and midfielder Erick Pulgar, dealing with a right shoulder injury, also remain sidelined.
The match against Estudiantes is scheduled for 21h30 local time at Estádio Jorge Luis Hirschi.
Flamengo leads Copa Libertadores Group A with six points and a perfect record. Estudiantes has four points, followed by Colombia's Independiente Medellín with one point and Peru's Cusco with zero.
In separate news, Volta Redonda announced the hiring of coach Mário Jorge on Tuesday. The 48-year-old, who previously managed Flamengo's under-20 squad between 2022 and 2023, arrives after a stint with Internacional's youth team. He replaces William De Mattia, who spent 42 days in the role and compiled one victory in four Série C matches while remaining undefeated in the Copa Sul-Sudeste.
Jorge's debut is set for Sunday, May 3, at 17h against Brusque in the fifth round of Série C at Estádio Raulino de Oliveira in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro state.
Flamengo midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta, 31, addressed the pressure of playing for the club in an interview with Transfermarkt. "Everyone would like to play at Flamengo, but it is very difficult. I am happy to be part of this institution, this history. We represent a large fan base. The responsibility of playing at Flamengo is greater than at other clubs, but it is good pressure. I have been here for many years and know how to deal with this pressure," he said.
Arrascaeta has been present for three of Flamengo's Copa Libertadores titles, three Brazilian league championships, and two Copa do Brasil victories during his tenure with the club.
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