Vasco gear up for crucial clash: The line-up Diniz is likely to field | OneFootball

Vasco continued its preparation this past Thursday (30th) for the direct clash against São Paulo next Sunday (02) at São Januário. The match, part of the 31st round, is considered a "final" in the fight for the top of the table. The big news will be the return of coach Fernando Diniz, who is expected to make a change in the attack.

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Return of the coach to the bench

The main news is the return of Fernando Diniz to the technical area. The coach served an automatic suspension in the last round against Red Bull Bragantino and will resume command of the team on Sunday. The team continues to be without Adson and Jair, who remain in the medical department and will only return in 2026.

The tendency is that Vasco will have only one change compared to the team that started the last match. Striker Pablo Vegetti is expected to return to the bench, making way for forward Rayan, who has recovered from a thigh edema and will take the position in the attack.

Vasco's probable lineup

With this change, the team that Diniz is likely to field for the direct clash is: Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Carlos Cuesta, Robert Renan, and Lucas Piton; Cauan Barros, Hugo Moura, and Philippe Coutinho; Andrés Gómez, Nuno Moreira, and Rayan.

The match at São Januário is crucial for Vasco's aspirations. The team is in eighth place with 42 points, just one point ahead of São Paulo, which is ninth. A victory is essential for the Cruz-Maltino to consolidate its position in the qualifying zone for the pre-Libertadores.

Young Rayan returns to the starting lineup – Photo: Thiago Ribeiro/AGIF

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