Vasco's eight players top 50 games in 2025, fatigue a worry | OneFootball

In crisis after five consecutive defeats, Vasco arrives under pressure to face Internacional this Friday at São Januário. Internally, victory is considered essential to regain confidence, but even a positive result will not solve a problem that has been worsening throughout the season: the physical wear and tear of the squad.

Under the command of Fernando Diniz, known for his intense training sessions and little squad rotation, Vasco has accumulated some eye-catching numbers. Eight players have already surpassed the 50-match mark in 2025, and two of them have reached 60 games, something unusual for a team that did not compete in international tournaments.

The most utilized

Among all players, Rayan and Léo Jardim lead the list. The forward has played 61 matches this year, counting both Vasco and the Brazilian youth national team, starting in 54 of them. The goalkeeper comes right behind, with 60 games, all as a starter.

Vegetti completes the podium: at 37 years old, the Argentine has already taken the field 58 times in 2025, starting in 52. The list of most utilized continues with Hugo Moura (57 games), Nuno Moreira (56), Paulo Henrique (54), Lucas Piton (53), and Philippe Coutinho (50).

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Photo: Matheus Lima / Vasco

Worrying comparisons

The high number of games stands out even more when compared to other clubs on the national scene. Flamengo and Fluminense, who had packed schedules due to competing in the Libertadores, state finals, and the Club World Cup, also have several players with more than 50 matches. However, unlike Vasco, these teams faced extra competitions that justify the heavier workload.

Internacional, Vasco’s next opponent, illustrates the contrast: only one player from the Colorado squad has surpassed the 50-game mark this season. That is right-back Braian Aguirre, who has played 51 matches.

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Has fatigue become an opponent?

The heavy sequence of games, combined with Fernando Diniz’s style, may be taking its toll. Vasco shows clear signs of physical decline at crucial moments in matches, and the lack of rotation in the squad contributes to a sense of widespread fatigue.

With the final stretch of the Brasileirão decisive both for staying in Série A and for the parallel dispute of the Copa do Brasil, the question arises: is it time to bet on “fresher legs”? It will be up to Diniz to find alternatives—whether through tactical changes or greater rotation—to prevent fatigue from becoming the team’s biggest opponent.

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