Arrascaeta is candid about Flamengo’s Recopa defeat: ‘We have to change a lot of things’

The midfielder was a starter in the game against Lanús.

LANÚS (ARG)—Flamengo, in yet another poor performance, lost to Lanús 1-0 and fell behind in the race for the Recopa Sudamericana title. After the game at the Argentine team’s home ground, Arrascaeta, number 10 for the Brazilian team, spoke out about the changes the team needs to make for the return leg.

“We have to change a lot of things for the second leg. Nothing went right today, but now is not the time to talk; it’s time to work and give the answer at home,” began Arrascaeta, from Flamengo.

“We came to win the match; unfortunately, we didn’t get the result. We have to admit that they were better than us in many aspects. We need to remain humble for the return match and reverse the result,” concluded the Flamengo midfielder in the mixed zone of the Estadio Ciudad de Lanús.

Flamengo and Lanús will face each other again next Thursday at the Maracanã, also at 9:30 PM (Brasilia time). To secure qualification, Flamengo needs to win by at least one goal to decide penalties.

Lanús and Flamengo played a first half with low offensive output. The initial stage was marked by a contest concentrated in midfield, little acceleration down the flanks, and difficulty for both teams in converting possession into clear scoring opportunities.

The home team managed to put the ball in the net through Castillo in the 10th minute, but he was offside. The best scoring opportunity came from a Flamengo combination through the middle. Arrascaeta found Cebolinha in the box, and the striker shot with his left foot, forcing a save from Losada. Apart from that chance, the match was fragmented, with many physical battles and little creativity in the final third, even with Flamengo dominating possession.

Lanús threatened again in the second half. After a corner kick, the ball fell to Castillo, who pushed it into the goal, once again from an offside position. This time, the automatic goalkeeper had to intervene to confirm the offside.

Seven minutes later, however, there was no VAR to save the red-and-blacks: the number 19 rose between Léo Ortiz and Léo Pereira and headed the ball in unchallenged to open the scoring and secure the victory.