Ayrton Lucas was considered the best player for Flamengo in the 2-0 victory over Independiente del Valle, yesterday, in the Libertadores quarterfinals. The 29-year-old left-back was unbreakable in defense, especially in the altitude of Quito, where he didn't seem to be affected by the environment and proved decisive by intercepting almost every ball that came into his area.
The player has been turning things around after receiving various criticisms and has posted a long streak in the season, reaching nine consecutive games as a starter. This opportunity arose because Alex Sandro, the starter in the position, has been out of action since late July due to tendinitis in his right calf, with a return timeline longer than expected.
At first, the situation could have worried Leonardo Jardim's coaching staff, since the reserve would need to play constantly and the coach might be forced to improvise someone in the position. However, Ayrton Lucas took advantage of the chance and has been delivering good performances, making "lemonade" out of the "lemons" he was given.
The player didn't need to participate in goals or make flashy plays to prove his worth in the match against the Ecuadorians, demonstrating defensive consistency and increasingly establishing himself as a reliable option for the rest of the season.
