Cuiabano yet to make Vasco debut, here’s why | OneFootball

Surrounded by expectations, Cuiabano was left out of Vasco's second consecutive game since being announced. The left-back was not included in the lineup for the match against Volta Redonda Futebol Clube, in the quarter-finals of the Campeonato Carioca, and is still waiting for the opportunity to debut.

The explanation is physical. The player arrived at the club with a game rhythm below that of his teammates and, in recent days, experienced discomfort in his thigh. According to coach Fernando Diniz, the technical staff decided not to rush the process to avoid risks.

Cuiabano had been playing for Nottingham Forest's under-21 team and was not in the plans of then-coach Sean Dyche for the main team. He played only two matches in youth competitions in England, which explains the difference in intensity compared to professional Brazilian football.

+ Before facing Fluminense, Vasco tries to correct flaws and recover starters for the Carioca semi-final

Cuiabano is presented at Vasco — Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

Technical staff plans physical evolution for the classic against Fluminense

Vasco's strategy is to use the full week of training to improve the left-back's conditioning and gradually integrate him into the team's rhythm. The idea is for number 66 to be in better condition for the Carioca semi-final, but without rushing stages.

Internally, the football department considers Cuiabano an important piece to strengthen the left side, a sector that has been under evaluation. The player arrives with a significant resume: in recent seasons with Botafogo, he was a Libertadores and Brazilian Championship champion in 2024.

The expectation is that, with physical improvement, Cuiabano will expand Diniz's options and increase competitiveness in the sector for the decisive sequence of the Campeonato Carioca.

+ Johan Rojas excites at Vasco and asks for space in the starting team

Photo: Reproduction/Vasco.

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