Diniz tears Vasco apart and tries out bizarre line-up against Grêmio | OneFootball

Vasco will have a completely revamped team to face Grêmio next Wednesday (19th). Absences in all areas are forcing Fernando Diniz to rack his brains. The coach is considering at least three improvisations and a drastic tactical change.

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Defense and midfield in collapse

The FIFA break created a logistical chaos. Cuesta, Andrés Gómez (Colombia), and Puma Rodríguez (Uruguay) play in the USA on Tuesday (18th), just one day before the match in Porto Alegre. The logistics to have them available are nearly impossible, and the tendency is that, at best, they will be on the bench.

In addition, Paulo Henrique is suspended. With both right-backs unavailable, Diniz is already sketching the team with Tchê Tchê improvised in the position. As a result, Thiago Mendes is expected to take a spot in midfield after a long period of physical reconditioning. Another surprise is Hugo Moura being tested in defense, filling in for the likely absent Cuesta.

Vasco's attack: "False 9" or Vegetti?

The main doubt for Diniz is in attack, which has scored only one goal in the last three games. Without Andrés Gómez (called up), Vegetti appears as the safest option for center forward.

However, the coaching staff is considering another formation. David, returning from suspension, could play on the wing. In this case, Diniz would repeat the tactic used in the rout against Santos, with David and Rayan wide, and Nuno Moreira and Coutinho alternating as a "false 9".

David could be the big surprise in Diniz's team – Photo: André Fabiano/Código19/Gazeta Press

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