Fluminense treat derby as Copa do Brasil dress rehearsal in Brasileirão | OneFootball

The classic match between Fluminense and Vasco, for the 29th round of the Brasileirão this Monday, is being treated as a "preview" of the Copa do Brasil semifinal, where the rivals will face each other in December.

The match is crucial for both teams’ situations in the Brasileirão, as they are both seeking spots in the Libertadores.

Fluminense is in seventh place, with 41 points, just two behind the G-6. Vasco is right behind, with 36 points.

A win is essential for Fluminense to get closer to the elite group and for Vasco to narrow the gap.

Fluminense’s coach, Zubeldía, has little time to train, but is planning changes, with the likely inclusion of Lucho Acosta and John Kennedy.

The forward John Kennedy, who is in great form and was one of the best players in the last match, considers the classic a "war" and expresses hope of finding the net.

John Kennedy has a personal motivation: Vasco is the only Rio rival he has yet to score against as a professional.

The striker is seeking his first goal against Cruzmaltino to crown his "rebirth" under Zubeldía’s command and help Tricolor in the fight for a Libertadores spot.

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

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