Full-backs struggle, Vasco eye Europe to strengthen defence | OneFootball

The subpar performance of the starting full-backs in the classic match against Flamengo was the last straw for the Vasco da Gama management to sound the maximum alert regarding the defensive system. The insecure performances of Paulo Henrique and the low offensive productivity of Lucas Piton confirmed a negative trend that had already been observed by the coaching staff since last season, forcing the club to urgently reassess its market priorities to avoid compromising the start of national competitions.

+ Vasco prepares a new offer of R$ 15.5 million for full-back Dinis Pinto

Instability on the right and mapped targets

Paulo Henrique's situation is the one that requires the most immediate attention from a technical standpoint. The player has been going through a rough patch since the end of 2025, accumulating mistakes at crucial moments, such as in the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil and the finals against Corinthians. This inconsistency led the management, even after renewing with Puma Rodríguez, to keep an eye on the international market in search of players who can raise the level of competition for the position.

In this scenario of seeking qualification, Vasco's scouting department analyzed names playing in Europe before deciding to retain the Uruguayan. The Portuguese Dinis Pinto, a standout at Moreirense, and the Cape Verdean Wagner Pina, who plays in Turkish football, were names evaluated in detail. The club's idea is not to be at the mercy of fluctuations and to ensure that Fernando Diniz has reliable options that offer both defensive security and support in attack.

Dinis Pinto is speculated at Vasco – Photo: Francisco Sebe

The pursuit of Piton and the search for replacements

On the left-back, the problem takes on financial and squad planning contours. With the sale of the promising Leandrinho and the lack of space for Victor Luís, who did not impress, Lucas Piton became overburdened and also showed a drop in performance. To make matters worse, the player is a constant target of European football. Recently, Vasco rejected an offer of 4 million euros (about R$ 24 million) from Besiktas, Turkey, considering the amount too low, but the management does not close the door to a sale if a new proposal reaches higher figures.

Given this real risk of losing the starter and the technical need for a backup, the name of Cuiabano has become the absolute priority behind the scenes. The plan outlined by Admar Lopes and Pedrinho is clear: if Piton is negotiated, Vasco will need to go to the market to hire not just one, but two starting-level left-backs, ensuring that the team does not suffer from improvisations in a year with a full and demanding calendar.

Cuiabano is a club desire – Photo: Disclosure

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