Diniz seeks replacements for suspended players vs Botafogo derby | OneFootball

Coach Fernando Diniz will have two significant absences for the classic match between Vasco and Botafogo this Wednesday (5th), for the 32nd round of the Brazilian Championship. Paulo Henrique and Nuno Moreira received their third yellow card in the victory over São Paulo on Sunday and are out of the match at Estádio Nilton Santos.

+ Vasco loses two starters due to suspension for the match against Botafogo

Paulo Henrique and Enzo Díaz contest the ball in Vasco vs. São Paulo for Brasileirão 2025 — Photo: André Durão

Paulo Henrique was cautioned after committing a penalty on Arboleda in the last play of the first half — the defender grabbed the center-back inside the area during a corner kick, and after VAR review, the infraction was confirmed. Meanwhile, Nuno Moreira received a card at the beginning of the second half for stopping a play by Gonzalo Tapia with a foul. This will be the first absence of the Portuguese full-back in the competition after playing in the previous 31 rounds.

The most likely option to replace Paulo Henrique is Puma Rodríguez, who has already been used in the right-back position. In the offensive sector, Diniz might reorganize the team: one possibility is to field Vegetti as a center forward and move Andrés Gomez to the wing; another is to maintain the current formation without a fixed striker, with David as an alternative among the starters.

+ ALERT AT VASCO! Starter suffers sprain and raises concerns for the classic against Botafogo

Red Bull Bragantino vs. Vasco da Gama for the Brazilian Championship held at Estádio Municipal Cícero de Souza Marques. Photos: Matheus Lima/Vasco.

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