Vasco did a different training session this Wednesday. As the classic against Fluminense, next Saturday (16), at 4pm (Brasília time), will be held at Nilton Santos, Ramón Diaz’s squad carried out an activity on the stadium’s lawn during the afternoon. Thus, the team can make a kind of recognition of the “tapetinho” of Botafogo’s home, as the black and white fans nicknamed the synthetic field there.
As São Januário was still closed – it was only released to the public after signing the TAC with the Public Ministry this Wednesday – and Maracanã is closed for the restoration of the pitch, Vasco took the classic with Fluminense to Nilton Santos. In the agreement with Botafogo, the club also requested the stadium for training before the match.
Vasco and coach Ramón Diaz’s idea was to make the players adapt minimally to the synthetic pitch. In fact, the fact that Nilton Santos’ pitch was artificial made the club consider taking the match to other stadiums, such as Mané Garrinha, Kleber Andrade and Arena da Amazônia. However, due to CBF deadlines, Cruz-Maltino ended up opting for the Botafogo stadium.
Another stage of preparation for next Saturday’s classic completed!
Nilton Santos Stadium
COME ON, VASCO! #Vasco da Gama pic.twitter.com/Kyu5H1sMtN
— Vasco da Gama (@VascodaGama) September 13, 2023
Vasco, it’s true, has already played on Nilton Santos’ “tapetinho”. At the beginning of July, the team was defeated 2-0 by Botafogo, in a first round match of the Brazilian Championship. However, some of the starting players and not even coach Ramón Diaz were at the club at that time.
Ramón Diaz has doubts about Vasco’s team for the classic
Vasco has an important absence for the classic with Fluminense. Suspended for the third yellow card, midfielder/defender Medel will not face Tricolor. Thus, midfielder Zé Gabriel, who is returning from suspension, should return to the starting lineup, keeping Maicon in defense.
Furthermore, Ramón Diaz has a doubt in his mind. The coach can promote Payet’s entry into the starting lineup. The Frenchman, who debuted against Bahia, is improving physically and could start playing next Saturday. If the midfielder is a starter, striker Serginho must leave the team.
Thus, Vasco would enter the field with: Léo Jardim, Robson, Maicon, Léo, Piton, Zé Gabriel, Paulinho, Praxedes, Payet (Serginho), Gabriel Pec and Vegetti.
