Barros goes from starter to under fire at Vasco before Cruzeiro return | OneFootball

Half a season on from starring in a chaotic 3-3 with Cruzeiro, Barros faces them on Saturday seeking to reset a faltering campaign.

At Mineirão in the first round, the midfielder scored twice to put Vasco 2-1 up, then was sent off minutes later. According to Globo.com, he approaches the rematch as a substitute after a run of poor displays and dismissals.

Four months on, he was dismissed again in the Copa do Brasil quarter-final first leg against Vitória at São Januário, handling as the last man after 18 minutes. Vasco played almost all match with 10 yet won 1-0 through Andrés Gómez.

Manager Pedro Emanuel has defended him, calling the red harsh and saying he remains confused by current handball criteria, adding such decisions hurt Vasco.

He said Barros looks lighter and more confident and that he still counts on him. Santiago Sosa's arrival, he added, is to raise competition, with selection based on form and freshness.

After shining in 2025, form dipped following last year's Copa do Brasil final. A poor Campeonato Carioca semi against Fluminense included two conceded penalties that knocked Vasco out.

Under Emanuel, errors mounted, including a turnover at Barradão gifting Vitória a 1-0 league win and an off night in the 2-2 with Independiente Medellín. He lost his place to Jair, then Sosa moved ahead.

Vasco host Cruzeiro at São Januário at 21:20 Brasília time as Barros looks to regain lost ground.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”