Flamengo midfielder Giorgian Arrascaeta remains sidelined after suffering a grade 2 calf injury. The physical problem occurred when the athlete was approaching his return after previous surgery on his right collarbone. As a result, the number 10 was unable to play in the Uruguayan team’s first two matches at the World Cup.
This Friday (26), at 9pm (Brasília time), the Uruguay team faces Spain in a decisive match in Group H of the tournament. The celestial team needs a victory to secure its place without depending on other results and advance to the next phase.
Despite the possibility of elimination in the group stage, coach Marcelo Bielsa confirmed that he will not choose the number 10. Although there was speculation that Arrascaeta could have a few minutes on the field at the Akron Stadium, in Guadalajara, this possibility was officially ruled out by the technical committee.
Assessment of the physical condition of the Arrascaeta player
According to information released by journalist Mônica Alves, from the Coluna do Fla portal, Giorgian Arrascaeta completed 22 days of intensive treatment for his calf injury. In recent days, the player carried out some training together with the other members of the Uruguayan National Team. Recovery from a grade 2 calf injury generally requires a period of three to six weeks, which explains the caution of the medical and technical team for its full recovery.
The number 10 is in a phase of physical transition, already carrying out training on the pitch with a ball, always under the close supervision of physiotherapy. The expectation is that he will complete the recovery process from the injury by the end of this week, according to the established schedule.
Still according to Mônica Alves, there is a chance that the Flamengo midfielder will be involved in the match against Spain. However, there is a consensus within the Uruguayan delegation that the player will not take the field in this crucial clash.
Prospects for the midfielder’s performance in the knockout stage
The Uruguayan National Team’s planning foresees the use of Arrascaeta in the World Cup only in the first round of the knockout stage. This strategy will only be implemented if the team led by Bielsa manages to qualify for the second phase of the competition. Currently, the Uruguay team has two points in Group H.