Inside São Januário! Vasco's priorities before the break | OneFootball

Vasco begins a crucial run of three matches in just 10 days to shape its sporting future before the calendar is paused for the World Cup. The coaching staff has set four priority objectives involving technical recovery on the national stage, finishing first in the continental tournament, and transfer-market planning. The board’s main focus is to ensure stable results so the squad can enjoy the break with peace of mind.

The Rio club’s most urgent goal is to finally put the relegation threat behind them in the Brazilian Championship after the drop in performance in the last round. With 20 points, Vasco sits 16th in the table and is only two points ahead of Corinthians, the team currently opening the relegation zone. The bounce-back clash is scheduled for next Sunday (24) against Red Bull Bragantino at the cauldron of São Januário, and is being treated as the top points priority.

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Sudamericana strategy and detailed medical exams at Vasco

On the international front, the immediate challenge comes today, Wednesday (20), against Olimpia in Paraguay, with sole possession of first place in Sudamericana Group G on the line. Although the initial idea was to field the strongest possible lineup, coach Renato Gaúcho chose to rest the worn-out starters, sending an alternative team to secure first place in the group. Finishing on top removes the need to play in the July playoffs and takes the sting out of the return leg against Barracas Central on the 27th.

Alongside the matches, the medical department is stepping up efforts to recover key players such as Cuiabano, Paulo Henrique, and forward Adson. The coaching staff has scheduled a detailed battery of advanced physical tests before clearing the players for the break, aiming to map the accumulated muscle fatigue. The same exams will be repeated when collective training resumes, serving as a comparison baseline to assess each squad member’s physiological response.

Market scouting and the search for three to four signings at Vasco

Off the pitch, behind-the-scenes talks are heating up between the manager, president Pedrinho, and football director Admar Lopes. Vasco is planning to bring in three to four impactful signings in the July transfer window to raise the group’s competitive level. The coach is actively involved in the market scouting, which gained attention in a report by ge detailing the political and sporting backstage at São Januário.

The football committee’s priority is focused on signing a right-footed center-back who is strong in the air and a defensive midfielder with strong physical presence. This desired midfielder must have the technical ability to cover defensive spaces and the quality to arrive in the opposition box as a surprise option. The board is speeding up contacts with players whose contracts abroad are nearing expiration in order to strengthen the dressing room without blowing the second-half budget.

Pedrinho and director Admar Lopes – Photo: Mateus Bonomi/AGIF

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