ARRASCAETA X DE LA CRUZ: PARTNERS IN FLAMENGO, RIVALS IN THE URUGUAY SELECTION! UNDERSTAND

Flamengo formed a midfield full of Uruguayan class this season, after signing Nicolás De La Cruz to form a partnership with Giorgian De Arrascaeta, a reference for the red-and-black team since 2019. However, in the Uruguay team , the two are competing for position, a dispute won by De La Cruz. This midfielder promises to raise the team's level, combining technique and game vision. Fans are eager to see this duo in action. Integration between them could be the key to Flamengo's new achievements.

The Uruguayans have in Nicolás De La Cruz, ex-River Plate, a fundamental pillar for their coach Marcelo Bielsa's team. Bielsa values ​​intense movement and sees De La Cruz as an essential piece. The greater physical capacity of Flamengo's number 18 justifies his usual place among the Uruguayan team's starters. In addition to his physical strength, De La Cruz is very creative, a vital characteristic for the style of play proposed by Bielsa. This combination of skills makes him a complete and essential player.

The fixed tactical scheme with two wingers, Maximiliano Araújo and Facundo Pellistri, a center forward, Darwin Núñez, and two combative midfielders, Federico Valverde and Manuel Ugarte, allow space for just one attacking midfielder. In this scenario, De La Cruz manages to stand out. The team's priority is to put high pressure on the opponent's defense, favoring players with great physical capacity and mobility. De La Cruz fits perfectly into this strategy, earning coach Bielsa's preference.

At 27 years old, Nicolás De La Cruz is not only younger than Arrascaeta, 30 years old, but also has a more versatile playing characteristic. De La Cruz can play on the sides of the field or retreat as a midfielder, demonstrating “more lungs” on the field. In the current Copa América, he already has two assists, while Arrascaeta has just one. This versatility and physical resistance are attributes that make De La Cruz a natural choice for Uruguay's dynamic style of play.

Brazilian fans, accustomed to following Arrascaeta Since their time at Cruzeiro, they know that number 10 values ​​less hustle and more about refined touches. Arrascaeta makes the ball flow and organizes the game with precision. At Flamengo, the team molds itself around him, allowing him to not have to spend so much time recovering the ball. This approach allows Arrascaeta to shine in offensive plays and maintain its high level of performance.

In Uruguay's dominant 2-0 victory over Brazil in October Last year, in the World Cup qualifiers, De La Cruz was a starter and also scored one of the goals. This performance reinforced his importance in the Uruguayan team and justified Bielsa's choice. De La Cruz proved to be decisive in big games, raising his international reputation. The victory over Brazil was an important milestone, consolidating confidence in his abilities.

Today, De La Cruz must continue leaving Flamengo's teammate, Arrascaeta, in the selection bench. This situation exemplifies the intense competition and quality that exists in the Uruguayan midfield. While De La Cruz stands out for his energy and versatility, Arrascaeta continues to be a key player at Flamengo. The dispute between the two players only enriches Uruguayan football, offering several tactical options for coaches. Flamengo, in turn, benefits from having two of the best midfielders in South America.