Botafogo get defender back, Vasco lose key man for derby | OneFootball

The classic derby between Botafogo and Vasco gained new twists even before the end of the international break. On Botafogo’s side, center-back Ferraresi was released by the Venezuela national team and is now available for Tite. On Vasco’s side, Pedro Emanuel already knows he will not be able to count on Andrés Gómez, who is suspended.

The match is scheduled for Wednesday (7), at 8:30 p.m., at Nilton Santos Stadium, for the 29th round of the Brazilian Championship.

Ferraresi is released and strengthens Botafogo

The information was reported by journalist Venê Casagrande of SBT Rio. This Saturday, the Venezuela national team itself confirmed the center-back’s release in an official statement. Ferraresi started the friendlies against Japan and South Korea and will not face Jordan.

As a result, the 27-year-old defender returns to Rio de Janeiro early and gains extra time to recover from the trip before the derby. Besides him, Botafogo is also hoping to have Danilo and Huguinho available, as they were also away on international duty.

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Andrés Gómez is suspended and will miss Vasco

At Vasco, the absence has been known for weeks. Andrés Gómez received his third yellow card in the 5-0 thrashing of Coritiba after taking off his shirt while celebrating the fourth goal, and will serve an automatic suspension.

The absence is significant: the Colombian is Vasco’s top scorer and assists leader in the Brasileirão.

Even without the suspension, the forward would hardly have been on the field. He was called up by Colombia, which faces Peru in Miami on the 6th, less than 24 hours before the derby.

Adson and Marino compete for the spot

To replace Andrés Gómez, Marino Hinestroza and Adson are the main candidates to complete the attack alongside Bruno Duarte and Facundo Colidio.

Pedro Emanuel used the break to test alternatives. In the training match against Noroeste, won 4-1, Marino started among the starters alongside Colidio and Bruno Duarte.

A likely Vasco lineup for the derby is: Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Cuesta (Saldivia), Robert Renan and Cuiabano; Sosa, Thiago Mendes and Lescano; Adson (Marino), Colidio and Bruno Duarte.

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Why it is a six-point game

The derby means a lot in the standings. Botafogo sits 12th with 35 points from 28 matches. Vasco is 16th with 31 points from 27 games.

There are only four points between them. With a win, Vasco would close in on its rival, move to just one point behind, and still have a game in hand. A loss, on the other hand, would open up a seven-point gap and leave the team even closer to the relegation zone, since 16th place is the first spot outside the bottom four.

Vasco fans sell out tickets

The expectation is for a playoff-like atmosphere. Vasco supporters sold out the tickets allocated to the club for the derby at Nilton Santos within just a few hours.

Recent derby history

The two teams have already faced each other twice in 2026. In the first half of the Brasileirão, on April 4, Botafogo won 2-1. Before that, in the Taça Guanabara on February 8, Vasco won: 2-0.

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.