With 16 goals scored in 13 Ligue 1 days, LOSC only has the 13th attack in the French championship, far from Paris SG (29 goals on the clock), Lens (25) or Strasbourg (24). The Mastiffs might have had more success in the finish if they had been able to count on Luiz Araujo (25). The Brazilian was coming out of his most successful exercise since his arrival in France in the summer of 2017, crowned with a title of champion of France and a Champions Trophy (6 achievements in all competitions).
–
The Auriverde, sold for around € 10 million this summer to Atlanta United, could therefore have rendered proud services to Jocelyn Gourvennec and his men. You only have to take a look at his beginnings on the other side of the Atlantic to be convinced. Within three months, he has already adapted perfectly to his new environment. “I always try to work with a smile. I am a soccer player. All I have in my life today is football, so I try to bring that joy back to football ”, he recently told the club’s official website.
Nice stats
His statistics don’t lie. In 15 appearances in Major League Soccer (1,156 minutes of play), the former São Paulo, who posts a rate of 79.6% of successful passes, has already scored four goals, including a magnificent one after a rush frenzied against Cincinnati (4-0), and delivered four assists. A nice record for the left-hander, elected player of the match against Inter Miami (2-1) after a mischievous free kick placed under the wall and a millimeter offering for Josef Martinez. Something to seduce its new audience and local observers.
Luiz Araújo broke through for his first @MLS goal and opened the floodgates for last night’s festivities ???? pic.twitter.com/3IMT0HIGkD
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) September 16, 2021
“We’re very lucky to have him here in Atlanta. He is very talented, very technical and our opponents in the league have the worst difficulties to take the ball from him., told us Mike Conti, journalist for Sports Radio 92.9 The Game in Atlanta. He was clumsy in the truth zone in his debut, but luck has turned in the last few matches. Obviously he’s a well above average player in Major League Soccer, Atlanta is very happy to have him. ” A sentiment shared by Doug Roberson, journalist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Successful integration
“I think Luiz started very well with Atlanta United. It’s hard to arrive in a new country, a new league, a new club, with new teammates and to be effective. He has been unlucky at times, facing good goalkeepers. But he scored a few goals, delivered a few assists. He adapted well. Arriving in Major League Soccer is difficult for many players, with the very long journeys, the lawns sometimes synthetic and sometimes natural, the stadiums sometimes huge and sometimes smaller, media obligations that there is not elsewhere. But, for the moment, he is doing very well ”, he explained before continuing.
“He has integrated very well thanks to the very important South American clan on the Atlanta side, with Argentines and Venezuelans playing in the offensive sector with him. On and off the pitch. He must now show that he can, if necessary, carry the team. Technically, he has a very high standard compared to other MLS players. If he continues like this, doesn’t get injured and Atlanta keeps his organization, he risks having a very good next season. I think he has a bright future with Atlanta United ”.
Another offer in L1
His entourage validates completely. “Luiz’s first months in Atlanta couldn’t be better. He arrived very quietly. The presence of South American players has helped him enormously. Tactically, he integrated very quickly. He feels very good there. The public quickly adopted it. He is happy. He had other offers this summer, but the choice to join the United States is now proving to be very good, both financially and sportingly. The very ambitious project is still in its infancy and has convinced him. He only had one year of contract left at Lille, the time had come to make a decision. And the choice turns out to be good ”, explained his representative, admitting that he had received an offer from another Ligue 1 club before opting for Atlanta.
Most often used on the right wing by his manager Gonzalo Pineda, to be able to return to the axis on his left foot, the former São Paulo, who occasionally evolves in the axis, gets along very well on the meadow with Brooks Lennon, ex-international U20 American right-back, and Matheus Rosseto, Brazilian midfielder. He will have the opportunity to confirm his first successful steps in the play-offs, against New York City, since his Atlanta finished in 5th place in the Eastern Conference standings during the regular season. Lille, meanwhile, prays that its attackers (apart from Jonathan David, already very efficient) will loosen …
–
