Vasco line-up: forced exit, key return and new role | OneFootball

On Friday (17th), Vasco began preparations for the classic match against Fluminense with important updates in the squad. After a day off on Thursday, the group reconvened at the Moacyr Barbosa Training Center, and Fernando Diniz will once again have right-back Paulo Henrique available.

The player was on duty with the Brazilian national team during the FIFA Date and returns to the starting lineup after playing 90 minutes in the friendly against Japan. Initially, the logistics planned by the management anticipated an early return for him to face Fortaleza, but the plan was changed precisely because of his full participation in the national team's match. As a result, Paulo Henrique returned to Rio only this Friday and has already trained with the group.

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Paulo Henrique in training at Vasco's Training Center — Photo: Dikran Sahagian/Vasco

While Diniz gains a reinforcement, he will have a definite absence: Hugo Moura is suspended after being sent off against Fortaleza. The tendency is for Tchê Tchê, who played improvised at right-back in PH's absence, to return to midfield to pair with Barros.

The probable lineup for Vasco in the classic is: Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Gary Medel/Cuesta, Robert Renan, and Lucas Piton; Barros, Tchê Tchê, and Philippe Coutinho; Nuno Moreira, Andrés Gómez (or Vegetti), and Rayan.

The Vasco squad will have two more days of activities at the Training Center before finalizing preparations. The match against Fluminense, valid for the 29th round of the Brazilian Championship, will be played next Monday (20th) at 7:30 PM at Maracanã.

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Professional training at Moacyr Barbosa Training Center on October 17, 2025. Photos: Dikran Sahagian/Vasco

In the standings, Vasco is in 9th place with 36 points, aiming to reduce the gap to Fluminense itself, which is in 7th with 41 points and is eyeing a spot in the 2026 Libertadores.

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