Lucas

[Cardie]

Of course they've also signed other players, but they make sure that if they identify a player who will change the team that they will allocate funds to that signing at the expense of squad strengthening.

The Evra signing for example, Utd were given 12 million that they hadn't budgeted for thanks to the kind Russian down south, it was essentially free money, wasn't put aside for anything because they didn't know they were getting it. They put it towards the signing of Carrick and it meant that in the summer they only spent 8 million of their budget (Ji Sung and Carrick) that meant come January, having qualified for the CL knockouts they still had money in the budget to go and get Evra.

[de Tocqueville]

Gremio reached the final of the Copa Libertadores late on Wednesday but Lucas didn't play in eiher of the semifinales against Santos. He's supposed to be their best player so what is going on? He started the league match against Botafogo that was played in between the two semifinals where Gremio rested various key players so I assume he's absence was not down to injury.

Does someone know what's going on?

By the way, Gremio will play Boca in the final. These will se some games, for sure... I just hope our Lucas feautures because playing in the biggest games in South American football will be a valuable experience for the lad.

[Unrighteous]

I hate when this board breaks down to talking about OTHER clubs. We are Liverpool. No one is bigger than us.

[Unrighteous]

Originally Posted by de Tocqueville Gremio reached the final of the Copa Libertadores late on Wednesday but Lucas didn't play in eiher of the semifinales against Santos. He's supposed to be their best player so what is going on? He started the league match against Botafogo that was played in between the two semifinals where Gremio rested various key players so I assume he's absence was not down to injury. Does someone know what's going on? By the way, Gremio will play Boca in the final. These will se some games, for sure... I just hope our Lucas feautures because playing in the biggest games in South American football will be a valuable experience for the lad.

What was their position in the league? I'd assume he'd feature in the Final since he's their best player by far.

[de Tocqueville]

Originally Posted by Unrighteous I hate when this board breaks down to talking about OTHER clubs. We are Liverpool. No one is bigger than us.

Easy now. Lucas is OUR player, so excuse me for being interested in his progress! That time of the month, eh?

[Unrighteous]

Originally Posted by de Tocqueville Easy now. Lucas is OUR player, so excuse me for being interested in his progress! That time of the month, eh?

Actually... the United stuff is what Im talking about. Not Gremio.

[de Tocqueville]

Originally Posted by Unrighteous Actually... the United stuff is what Im talking about. Not Gremio.

Okay, lad. Sorry about that.

[de Tocqueville]

Originally Posted by Unrighteous What was their position in the league? I'd assume he'd feature in the Final since he's their best player by far.

They've just played 4 league matches of the new season and are currently in 9th place. However, due to the importance of the Copa Libertadores, they've rested players in the league already.

[A-G]

i read somewhere that he was off form and they thought it was due to fatigue so he has been rested for a while.

[WeAreTheBest]

Originally Posted by de Tocqueville Gremio reached the final of the Copa Libertadores late on Wednesday but Lucas didn't play in eiher of the semifinales against Santos. He's supposed to be their best player so what is going on? He started the league match against Botafogo that was played in between the two semifinals where Gremio rested various key players so I assume he's absence was not down to injury. Does someone know what's going on? By the way, Gremio will play Boca in the final. These will se some games, for sure... I just hope our Lucas feautures because playing in the biggest games in South American football will be a valuable experience for the lad.

He's been injured for over a month, come back on the weekend and played the last half hour of the Santos game.

[TK421]

It goes without saying that we need Lucas and Hammill on the pitch at the same time at some point.

[ali]

Lucas ready to lead Brazilian charge
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 28 March 2007


The year 2006 saw Lucas break new ground. He inspired Gremio to 2007 Copa Libertadores qualification on their return to the Brazilian top flight, became the youngest ever recipient of Placar Magazine's Golden Ball, awarded to the domestic championship's top performer, and earned a first call-up to the senior Brazil squad.

Surpassing such a profitable 12 months was always going to be an arduous task for the all-action midfielder, however, having already skippered his country to glory at the 2007 South American U-20 Championship and helped his club make a positive start to the new season, he believes this goal is within his reach. That said, Lucas is aware that his mission rests abundantly on one factor: whether or not he can lead the Seleção to gold at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 , which begins on 30 June.

A city of revelations
Just like their cross-city rivals Internacional, whose post-millennium revelations include attacking jewels Diogo Rincon, Daniel Carvalho, Nilmar, Rafael Sobis and Alexandre Pato, Gremio have gained a reputation for unearthing fine prospects in recent times.

Indeed, both two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho and FC Porto luminary Anderson are products of their youth academy. But while the pair share a similar style, which serves to thrill audiences and unlock defences, Lucas provides a different service.

Predominantly a defensive midfielder, the 20-year-old is an expert marker and ball-winner. His capabilities, nonetheless, stretch beyond breaking up opposition attacks. An inventive passer who possesses a neat first touch, well-rounded is an adjective that fits Lucas like a glove.

Mature leadership
After helping Gremio win the Rio Grande do Sul state championship at the front end of the year, Lucas Pezzini Leiva, to give him his full name, played the transcendent role in the Tricolor Gaúcho achieving an unexpected third-placed finish in the 2006 Brasileiro. And as the team celebrated securing Copa Libertadores qualification, their star turn was rewarded with Placar's prestigious Golden Ball, an honour that has previously befitted the likes of Zico, Falcao, Careca, Junior, Romario and Kaka.

In spite of Lucas' accomplishment, however, it was another Porto Alegre-based youngster that captured the majority of the headlines going into the 2007 South American U-20 Championship. And while Alexandre Pato certainly vindicated his pre-tournament hype, Lucas' influence proved equally important to Brazil. In addition to his proficient orchestration of play and mature leadership, the Gremio player weighed in with four goals, including the equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Argentina and the opening goal in the title-clinching 2-0 win over Colombia.

Competitive field
With Argentina looking to defend their crown, a highly-touted Mexico side eager to etch their own name on the trophy, Congo having suggested that they are capable of mixing it with the elite and European heavyweights Spain and Portugal among the qualified nations, the 16th instalment of the FIFA U-20 World Cup promises to be the most competitive to date. Following their capture of the continental title in Paraguay, though, Brazil will enter the tournament confident of matching Argentina's record of five titles.

For Lucas, nephew of Palmeiras legend Leivinha, leading Nelson Rodrigues' side to a global triumph would be a huge step towards turning 2007 into an even more successful 12 months than his breakthrough year. Moreover, with full national team boss Dunga sure to be casting a keen eye over proceedings in Canada, it would improve his chances of becoming a firm fixture in the senior Brazil squad.

Ironically, when the Seleção won their first FIFA U-20 World Cup title at Mexico 83, Dunga performed handsomely in their engine room. Is the stage set for a new midfield general to spearhead Brazil's trophy charge?

[Karl]

For all that was said about Gonzalez, Le Tallec, Pongolle etc, it seems that Lucas is just that little bit more special.

[nickjt]

Full name Lucas Pezzini Leiva.

Pezzini is way cooler than Lucas.

[Unrighteous]

Well maybe we can dub him Pezzinho?

[Dundalis]

Originally Posted by A-G i read somewhere that he was off form and they thought it was due to fatigue so he has been rested for a while.

That would be like us saying Gerrard was fatigued, and therefore resting him from both Champion's League Semi-Final's against Chelsea. Lucas hasn't been off form all this season, which is why he won the Golden Boot.

[WaltonRed]

Originally Posted by nickjt Full name Lucas Pezzini Leiva. Pezzini is way cooler than Lucas.

I think they added that in just to make sure people knew he had italian roots so he could get a EU passport.

[A-G]

Originally Posted by Dundalis That would be like us saying Gerrard was fatigued, and therefore resting him from both Champion's League Semi-Final's against Chelsea. Lucas hasn't been off form all this season, which is why he won the Golden Boot.

Offically Lucas has been sidelined this month with a muscular problem. The truth though, is that he is exhausted after playing the u-20's, copa libertadores and the league games. His performances have been under par lately and that is why they decided to give him a rest.

it's on a post on the 1st page of this thread i knew i saw it somewhere

[thechap]