Vasco to rest players? Priorities set, team unrecognisable in Minas

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·5 December 2025

Vasco to rest players? Priorities set, team unrecognisable in Minas

Vasco faces a crucial dilemma for the last round of the Brasileirão. With a spot in the South American Cup still at stake and the semifinals of the Brazil Cup just around the corner (only four days later), the backstage is dominated by the doubt of whether or not to rest the squad. However, coach Fernando Diniz has expressed a work philosophy that goes against common sense and traditional data science, indicating that his decision might surprise.

+ Vasco sets priority and Sunday's lineup becomes a mystery

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Vasco's coach has a different view

In a press conference, Diniz stated he has a “different view” on physiology. For him, cold numbers do not dictate the lineup.

“We need to see, read, and understand. (…) There is no recipe. It's a matter of feeling,” he explained.

The coach used the example of Philippe Coutinho to justify his thesis that training and playing more can be beneficial, contrary to preserving him.

“Before, they looked at Coutinho's physiology numbers, then he can play, he can't play (…) now he trains a lot, plays a lot, and doesn't visit the medical department”, fired Diniz, reinforcing that he prefers to take calculated risks than to blindly follow medical guidelines.

The probable changes and the synthetic pitch

Despite the combative speech, reality may impose changes. Vasco has eight players with more than 50 games in the season, and the synthetic pitch at Arena MRV increases the risk of injuries. Therefore, names like Nuno Moreira, Rayan, and Coutinho himself may be preserved, not only due to fatigue but also because of the existence of substitutes or the risk of the artificial surface.

The probable lineup points to a mixed team, with David, Vegetti, and Tchê Tchê securing spots in the offensive and midfield sectors. In defense, the absences of Cuesta (suspended) and Piton (injured) already force natural changes.