Volante returned to Rubro-Negro this season, but has yet to recover good football for the club
After losing the first leg 1-0, in Quito, Flamengo will try to return to the Recopa Sudamericana in front of their fans, at the Maracanã. And Vítor Pereira will have an important reinforcement to look for the result: the midfielder Gerson, excluded from the first duel due to a muscle problem. Curiously, the number 8 has already decided another final of the same tournament.
It was 2020, when Flamengo faced Independiente Del Valle. On the occasion, Gerson scored a brace at Maracanã to give Rubro-Negro the title. Despite the good memory, the steering wheel experiences a different moment three years later and will have to draw inspiration from the phase experienced at the time to decide again.
THE CONSECRATION IN THE FIRST RECOPA
Just like this season, Flamengo played their first match of the Recopa Sudamericana in Quito and decided at the Maracanã. However, unlike in 2023, Rubro-Negro left the Ecuadorian capital in a 2-2 draw, goals from Pedro and Bruno Henrique. The number 27 would leave the field injured and would not participate in the decision in Rio de Janeiro.
In Rio de Janeiro, Jorge Jesus’ Flamengo made an overbearing start and opened the scoring in the 10th minute, with Gabigol, after the defender gave way. But for those expecting an easy match, they were mistaken: Willian Arão was sent off shortly after, and Clube da Gávea played one man down for most of the match.
Despite this, the Rubro-Negro maintained his posture and positioning and, even failing that, increased the score with the Gerson star. The midfielder, back from a spectacular season in 2020, pocketed the game with two goals. The first came at the start of the second half, on action from Gabigol, and the second closed the accounts, with a pass from Vitinho.
Despite the good memory, Gerson’s time at Flamengo is very different. The midfielder was repatriated from Olympique de Marseille for 15 million euros (about R$120 million) and arrived with high expectations, which have not yet been met. The adaptation in Vítor Pereira’s team did not work and he was criticized for his performance in important matches, such as against Palmeiras and Al Hilal.
In all, the number 8 has played seven games in this second leg and has not been involved in any goals. With the expected return after the discomfort, it is possible that he is already part of the starting line-up, even if the role is not yet 100% defined. Vítor Pereira has not found a scheme that favors Gerson’s characteristics.
SEE GERSON’S NUMBERS IN 2023
7 games (all as starters)
452 minutes
0 participations in goal
2 cards (1 yellow and 1 red)
Flamengo and Independiente Del Valle will take the field starting at 21:30 (Brasilia time), at the Maracanã. More than 56,000 tickets have been sold in advance for the match, and the AC Milan fans are promising a great party to support the team.
Source: Terra
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