Vasco blow: key player set to miss Copa do Brasil tie vs Sport | OneFootball

Vasco will have a significant absence for their next match in the Betano Brazilian Championship. Right-back Paulo Henrique, who had already missed the last round and also the derby against Botafogo, is unlikely to face Sport this Sunday (31), at 8:30 p.m., at Ilha do Retiro.

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Photo: Ruano Carneiro/Getty Images

In the press conference after the 1-1 draw with Botafogo, in the first leg of the Betano Cup quarterfinals, coach Fernando Diniz updated the player’s situation and practically ruled out his presence against the team from Pernambuco.

– He had some discomfort in his thigh, we did an exam that showed a minor edema. We were evaluating him very cautiously, putting him in the game, but the discomfort kept increasing. It’s nothing serious, but he’ll probably be out against Sport. The expectation is that he’ll be available against Botafogo, the coach explained.

The absence worries the coaching staff and fans, since Paulo Henrique had been a key player in the defensive sector. The plan now is to take advantage of the FIFA break to speed up his recovery and have him in top condition for the return leg against the Rio rival.

Meanwhile, Vasco turns all its attention to the Brasileirão. In 16th place, with 19 points – the same as Vitória, the first team inside the relegation zone – the Gigante da Colina faces Sport away in a direct duel for survival in the top flight. Diniz is expected to rotate the squad to manage the players’ fatigue after the derby.

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Photo: Ruano Carneiro/Getty Images

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