Thiago Mendes absence gives Renato Gaúcho a headache at Vasco

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Gazeta Esportiva.com

·14 March 2026

Thiago Mendes absence gives Renato Gaúcho a headache at Vasco

By Gazeta Press

Vasco will have a significant problem for the match against Cruzeiro in the Brazilian Championship. A standout in the victory over Palmeiras in the previous round, midfielder Thiago Mendes will be absent from the team in the match taking place this Sunday at Mineirão.

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The midfielder was one of the protagonists of Vasco's triumph in coach Renato Gaúcho's debut. However, a yellow card received at the end of the match resulted in an automatic suspension, preventing him from being present in the team's next commitment.

Decisive in the comeback

In the victory over Palmeiras, Thiago Mendes delivered a standout performance. The midfielder scored Vasco's first goal in the match and was a key player in the team's reaction during the game.

In addition to finding the net, the player was actively involved in building plays in midfield and finished the match as one of the most praised names on the team. His performance drew attention precisely because it happened in Renato Gaúcho's first match in charge of the club.

Despite his high-level performance, the yellow card received in the final minutes ended up becoming a problem for the coach.

Renato Gaúcho looks for a replacement

With Thiago Mendes unavailable, Renato Gaúcho now needs to decide who will fill the midfield spot for Vasco against Cruzeiro.

One possibility is bringing in Barros, who can strengthen the sector alongside Hugo Moura, forming a more defensive pair of midfielders. Another alternative is to keep Tchê Tchê in the lineup and opt for a formation with greater offensive presence.

In this scenario, forward Johan Rojas also appears as an option to gain a spot among the starters, should the coach decide to modify the team structure.

Situation of Vasco and Cruzeiro in the Brasileirão

The victory over Palmeiras was important for Vasco in the Brazilian Championship standings. The result brought the team to four points after five rounds and lifted them out of last place in the competition.

Curiously, the bottom spot is now occupied by Cruzeiro, their next opponent, who have only two points so far.

The match between Cruzeiro and Vasco takes place on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at Mineirão, and could be decisive for both teams' recovery in the competition.

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