Vasco’s high-stakes Fluminense decider, from dressing-room pressure to strained finances | OneFootball

Vasco face a season-defining derby with Fluminense at Maracanã on Wednesday at 21:30 Brasília time, with a quarter-final place at stake after a goalless first leg. According to Globo.com, victory could also ease internal pressure.

There have been no new signings in this window, and outside pressure for reinforcements has grown. The board initially urged patience, given the prospect of extra investment if talks to buy the SAF with businessman Marcos Lamacchia advanced.

A court-appointed administrator’s report last Friday said June’s finances deteriorated. Cash fell from R$ 20 million to R$ 9 million, then used in early July. The club then took a R$ 40 million DIP loan from Lamacchia’s company and opened court proceedings to sell 90% of the SAF this month.

Even so, Vasco have moved. A deal for midfielder Santiago Sosa is close, Racing’s required guarantees the final hurdle, which the board do not see as a problem. Striker Colidio has given a positive signal, while the club negotiate with River Plate over structure and the upfront sum.

Beyond the Argentine pair, daily enquiries continue for a centre-back, a midfielder and attacking options, but there has been no significant progress.

Another knockout success would lift morale and brings a R$ 4 million windfall. Pedro Emanuel is being judged positively for defensive tweaks, with back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this year, the latest against Fluminense. The focus now is greater attacking edge.

Changes to the XI are likely. Thiago Mendes returns after suspension. In attack, Adson could make way, with Brenner and Nuno Moreira competing to start.

Source: Globo.com

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