Will Luiz Araújo Make His Return Against Internacional?
Since arriving at Flamengo, coach Filipe Luís has wasted no time offering opportunities to a range of players – including those rising through the ranks from the youth teams.
One notable absence from the new manager’s lineups, however, has been striker Luiz Araújo. Sidelined since September due to a fractured cartilage in his right knee, Araújo has been unavailable since Tite’s time at the helm. When Filipe Luís took charge, the number 7 was still focused on recovery.
Time has allowed for progress, and Araújo was finally mentioned for a potential debut by Filipe Luís during the Copa do Brasil final against Atlético-MG at Arena MRV. At the time, the priority was having the striker ready as a last resort option, ultimately remaining on the bench as Mengão triumphed.
Following the Copa do Brasil final, Flamengo played three more matches, but Araújo’s name didn’t appear on the team list. The technical committee aims to ensure the attacker is 100% fit before sending him back onto the field, prioritizing a full recovery to prevent any further injury setbacks.
Training Intensifies as Flamengo Faces Internacional
According to reports, Luiz Araújo trained separately from his teammates this past Thursday morning at CT Ninho do Urubu. His inclusion in the upcoming match against Internacional remains uncertain, with training sessions on Friday and Saturday proving crucial to determine his availability.
Flamengo Gears Up for Crucial Brasileirão Clash
Flamengo’s next test comes this Sunday against Internacional in the 36th round of the Brasileirão. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 pm Brasília time at the iconic Maracanã Stadium.
Fans can catch all the action through the passionate commentary on ColunadoFla’s red-black broadcast on YouTube, featuring the unmistakable voice of Rafa Penido. Live coverage will also be available on Rede Globo (open channel) and Premiere (pay-per-view).
What criteria will coach Filipe Luís consider when making the decision about Araújo’s return?
## Will Luiz Araújo Make His Return Against Internacional?
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show! Today we’re discussing the exciting possibility of Luiz Araújo’s return to the field for Flamengo against Internacional. Joining us to shed some light on this is our resident Flamengo analyst, Alex Reed. Welcome to the show, Alex Reed!
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me! It’s exciting times for Flamengo fans right now.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely. Coach Filipe Luís has certainly shaken things up since his arrival, giving opportunities to younger players like Araújo. What are your thoughts on Araújo’s potential return in this crucial match?
**Alex Reed:** Well, based on his stats from last season [[1](https://www.transfermarkt.com/luiz-araujo/leistungsdaten/spieler/435485/saison_id/2017)], we know Araújo has the potential to be a real asset. He had a decent number of goals and assists, showing he can contribute offensively. However, it’s important to remember he’s still young and recovering from his injury.
**Interviewer:** That’s a good point. How do you think Luís will approach this decision? Will he be tempted to rush Araújo back, or will he err on the side of caution?
**Alex Reed:** Knowing Luís, he’s a very measured coach. He’ll prioritize Araújo’s long-term health over a quick return. If Araújo isn’t 100%, I doubt he’ll risk him against a tough opponent like Internacional.
**Interviewer:** Makes sense. What would you say are the chances of seeing Araújo on the pitch this Saturday?
**Alex Reed:** I’d say it’s a 50/50 chance. If he’s had a good week of training and feels ready, Luís might include him on the bench. But starting him is probably unlikely. Flamengo has other attacking options they can rely on.
**Interviewer:** Excellent analysis, Alex Reed! Thanks for giving us your insights. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the team news this week to see if Luiz Araújo will indeed make his comeback.
