TITE HAS AN EXCELLENT PUZZLE TO ASSEMBLE FLAMENGO WITH THE END OF THE CUP AMERICA

Flamengo is hoping to have the full squad again and more options available to coach Tite. Uruguay ended its participation in the Copa América and, with that, Rubro-Negro has the return of Arrascaeta, De la Cruz, Viña and Varela. But how could this impact the team?

The coach has a new “puzzle” ahead of him. Without the four, until then considered starters, Tite looked for solutions during the time he was absent and saw good responses from the team. Flamengo experienced two moments during the period between international friendlies and Copa América. The first, with five absences, when the Chilean Pulgar was also missing. Then, with the steering wheel at his disposal, as Chile was eliminated early.

Trio in midfield gave results

Without Pulgar and with Allan in the medical department, the coach formatted the sector with defender Léo Ortiz improvised as midfielder, Gerson and Lorran, and the performance was good. The commander also used Léo Pereira as a full-back. Viña was already with Uruguay and Ayrton Lucas was unable to play due to a thigh injury.

Lorran fluctuated, but was praised by Tite. The young player, who gained space during the period with absences, played in a similar role to Arrascaeta and was recently the target of criticism from the fans. The red-black team saw its performance drop after changes. With Pulgar and Allan, there was a change and the duo started in front of the defense, but the team did not have the same performance.

Wesley and Ayrton Lucas were the owners of the right and left flank, respectively. Varela and Viña's immediate reserves did what was expected and did not create any gaps. Flamengo played nine times in this time with absences. Tite's team had five wins, two draws and two defeats, and remained in the fight for leadership of the Brazilian Championship.

Arrascaeta played in five matches < b>
He was a starter in the debut, and started on the bench for the remainder. Last Saturday, against Canada, he came on at half-time and converted the penalty that helped Uruguay reach third place. Fla's number 14 scored a goal and made three assists. He spent 318 minutes on the field.

Viña generated concern during the Copa América. He was substituted against Brazil, and coach Marcelo Bielsa said that "it was not a muscle injury, it was exhaustion in the back of the muscle, which could be prior to an injury."

The wear and tear made Flamengo monitor the player more closely. The full-back started five of the team's six games in the Copa América — he was not used against Colombia in the semi-final. He had an assist and a goal in the tournament.

Varela played in two games. He took the field against Brazil, in the quarterfinals, and Colombia, in the semifinals. He did not play in the third place match because he had to serve a suspension after being sent off. Pulgar played in Chile's three games at the Copa América. He started against Peru and Argentina, and came on at half-time in the duel with Canada. The player returned to the red-black team at the beginning of July. Chile did not progress past the group stage of the national team competition, and the midfielder played against Atlético-MG, Cuiabá and Fortaleza.