Vasco da Gama visits last-placed Chapecoense at the Arena Condá in Chapecó on Saturday at 20h30 Brasília time, in a rescheduled 21st-round Campeonato Brasileiro fixture where victory would push the Rio de Janeiro club seven points clear of the relegation zone.
The team sits 13th in the standings with 41 points from 33 matches, four points ahead of 17th-placed Corinthians, ESPN Brasil reported. The match was originally scheduled for early October but was postponed due to the club’s participation in the Copa Sudamericana, the Federação Catarinense de Futebol noted.
Chapecoense enters the match following confirmation of its relegation to Série B after a defeat to Mirassol, ESPN Brasil reported. The Santa Catarina side sits at the bottom of the table with 21 points, UOL reported.
Vasco Travels to Santa Catarina Missing Four Injured Players
Vasco travels to Santa Catarina without four injured players after their absence was confirmed by the Podcast Cruzmaltino, Gazeta Esportiva reported. Thiago Mendes deals with back pain, Nuno Moreira feels discomfort in his right thigh adductor, Santiago Sosa recovers from a left thigh adductor issue, and Tchê Tchê undergoes treatment for right leg tendinopathy, Gazeta Esportiva reported.
The delegation of Gigante da Colina embarked for Santa Catarina in the early afternoon on Friday without Thiago Mendes, Nuno, Sosa, and Tchê Tchê, Gazeta Esportiva reported.
Coach Pedro Emanuel welcomes back central defender Alan Saldivia after suspension, with the Uruguayan expected to replace Gabriel Pereira in the starting lineup, UOL reported.
The visitors’ probable lineup features Léo Jardim; Puma Rodríguez, Saldivia, Robert Renan, and Cuiabano; Jair, Ramon Rique, and Lescano; Colidio, Bruno Duarte, and Andrés Gómez, ESPN Brasil reported. The squad’s list of called-up players also includes new options such as defensive midfielder Mateus Carvalho, midfielder Jhojan Rojas, and forward Loide Augusto, UOL reported.
Chapecoense Management Shakeup
The home side deals with a technical transition after coach Rafael Lacerda left to take charge of Vitória, ESPN Brasil reported. Assistant coach Rodrigo Chipp leads the team from the sideline while newly appointed manager Vinícius Bergantin watches from the stands at the Arena Condá, UOL reported.
Chapecoense also released forward Bolasie, midfielder Bruno Matias, defender Rafael Thyere, and right-back Dudu following relegation, ESPN Brasil reported. Defender Eduardo Doma serves a suspension and forward Garcez remains injured, ESPN Brasil reported.
Referee Pereira De Lima Oversees the Saturday Match
Referee Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima from Pernambuco oversees the fixture, assisted by Brigida Cirilo Ferreira from Alagoas and Schumacher Marques Gomes from Paraíba, ESPN Brasil reported. Gilberto Rodrigues Castro Jr. operates the VAR, ESPN Brasil reported.
The match begins at 20h30 Brasília time on Saturday, ESPN Brasil reported. Premiere broadcasts the game on pay-per-view, and ESPN.com.br provides real-time updates, ESPN Brasil reported.
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