Brasília, Brazil — O Vasco da Gama decide to rest key players Coutinho and Vegetti during their match against Palmeiras on Sunday, May 7, at Mané Garrincha Stadium. The interim coach Felipe said both players dey experience physical and mental fatigue from a packed game schedule.
The starting lineup for the match will consist of Léo Jardim, Paulo Henrique, João Victor, Lucas Freitas, Lucas Piton, Hugo Moura, Mateus Carvalho, Tchê Tchê, Nuno Moreira, Rayan, and Loide. The decision not to include Coutinho and Vegetti in the squad reflects the club’s concern over potential injuries as assessed by the medical team.
Since the players go return to Rio only the following week, they must manage their energy carefully for upcoming fixtures. After playing Palmeiras, the team will travel to Venezuela to face Puerto Cabello in the Sul-Americana on Wednesday before heading to Salvador for a Saturday match against Vitória.
This decision come after discussions at the training center, with Vegetti confirming that it was made collectively among players and coaching staff. He explained, “I no like to sit out; I enjoy playing the full 90 minutes. But we talked with the medical team and Felipe, and we needed to find a window to rest. I dey very tired. I no like am, but e necessary. We all agree say we can’t continue as we dey do before.”
Vasco have not won against São Paulo teams since 2015 and have yet to secure a victory at the Novo Mané Garrincha in any Brasileirão matches. The interim coach Felipe acknowledged the challenges the team faces as they prepare for the upcoming games, emphasizing the importance of player well-being and strategic rotation.
As fans await the game, they will also be watching the ongoing management issues at the club, including recent incidents involving supporters. Vinícius Couto, a Vasco fan, recently reported being assaulted after protesting against Felipe’s coaching decisions.
For full coverage of all Vasco’s matches, fans can tune in to ge, Globo, and SporTV channels.
