SAO JANUARIO, RIO DE JANEIRO – Vasco da Gama assistant coach Alexandre Mendes lauded midfielder Johan Rojas following the team’s dominant 3-0 victory over Olimpia in a Copa Sudamericana match on Thursday night. Mendes, who is currently leading the team in the absence of the suspended Renato Gaúcho, highlighted Rojas’s growing influence and potential, whereas acknowledging the player is still adapting to his new surroundings.
Rojas played a key role in all three goals for Vasco, earning praise for his dynamic playmaking and ability to drive the attack. Mendes emphasized that head coach Renato Gaúcho has been actively working with Rojas to refine his positioning and maximize his impact on the field. The win against Olimpia represents a positive step in Rojas’s development within the Brazilian league.
“Rojas isn’t a classic number 10. he’s a number 10 who accelerates,” Mendes explained. “He’s very powerful, with excellent ball control and technically very good. He needs to improve in some aspects, mainly his positioning. Renato has been demanding that he understands spaces and is free to connect play when he receives the ball. I believe he’s still in the process of adaptation, he needs more time, but he’s a player who will help us a lot.”
The victory over Olimpia is part of a recent upturn in form for Vasco, with three wins in their last four matches. Mendes cautioned against drawing sweeping conclusions from a single game, pointing to previous strong performances against Cruzeiro and Remo. He noted that the team’s style of play is best suited to open matches with space to exploit, a condition that wasn’t present in their recent encounter with Corinthians.
“We can’t base our assessment on just one game; we need to analyze the performances,” Mendes stated. “We had great games against Cruzeiro and Remo. The Corinthians game was different; Vasco likes to play with space and Corinthians didn’t offer that. They closed down and there wasn’t much connection. Today’s game, the home factor weighed heavily. Vasco doesn’t have starters and substitutes; it has a squad, and Renato will pick the players in the best condition.”
The Copa Sudamericana is a significant competition for Vasco, offering a pathway to continental glory. The team’s recent form suggests a growing cohesion and tactical understanding under the guidance of Gaúcho and his staff. Rojas’s emergence as a key player is a particularly encouraging sign for the club’s ambitions.
While the team is showing promise, Mendes stressed the importance of continued development and adaptation, particularly for new signings like Rojas. The Colombian midfielder’s ability to refine his positioning and fully integrate into the Vasco system will be crucial to their success moving forward. The coaching staff is focused on nurturing his talent and maximizing his contribution to the team.
Vasco’s next challenge will test their momentum and ability to replicate their performance against Olimpia. The team will need to maintain their focus and tactical discipline as they navigate a demanding schedule. The coaching staff will be looking for continued improvement from all players, with a particular emphasis on Rojas’s continued development.
The win against Olimpia provides a boost in confidence for Vasco da Gama as they continue their Copa Sudamericana campaign. The team’s ability to perform consistently and adapt to different opponents will be key to their success. Fans will be eager to see how Rojas continues to develop and contribute to the team’s ambitions.
Vasco will continue their Copa Sudamericana journey with their next match scheduled for May 8th against Boca Juniors. The match will be played at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
What are your thoughts on Vasco’s performance and Rojas’s potential? Share your opinions in the comments below.
