My Impressions – Round 10 of the Guanabara Cup

If there was doubt about the validity of Vasco having Andrey Santos return for 12 or 15 games, it no longer exists.

The team’s performance in the classic on Sunday (5) showed that if the return was just for the duel with Flamengo, it would have been worth it.

Andrey was one of the highlights in the victory over the rival, and his presence gave solidity to the team that prevented the anticipated red-black conquest.

Flamengo is still ahead and will have the GB Cup if they draw with Fluminense on Wednesday (8).

But the fans’ dissatisfaction with the team’s performance under the command of coach Vítor Pereira generates insecurity and apprehension.

FLAMENGO 0 x 1 VASCO.

Due to the balance in the quality of the teams, the confrontation between the rivals was as it had not been seen for a long time.

The 1-0 score in favor of Maurício Barbieri’s team came as a result of the players’ determination, and the victory reinforces confidence in the coach’s strategy.

Vasco adopted a different posture from the other two classics, waited for Flamengo in its field and sought spaces behind the red-black defensive midfielders.

He sent two balls to the post, created chances and could have taken the lead in the first half.

Flamengo, however, did not have a bad match.

Vítor Pereira put another player in the midfield line, with Gérson alongside Thiago Maia and Vidal, improving control and offensive production.

But it remains dependent on Arrascaeta’s genius from the middle to the front.

And while the Uruguayan does not reach the ideal physical shape, the efficiency in the attack will fluctuate according to the opponent.

That’s why the team has stalled in clashes with stronger opponents…

BANGU 0 x 5 FLUMINENSE.

The victory was built easily because Fernando Diniz’s team didn’t let maestro Felipe’s Bangu think about the game.

The pressure on the ball, with the midfielders in advance, took away the slightest possibility of articulation for the Banguense team.

And it’s okay that Ganso’s goal from a free kick early on made the mission of Diniz’s men easier.

But the “elastic” scoreboard mirrored the difference in individual quality of the two teams.

So much so, that with the three points guaranteed, the tricolor coach set the pace for reserves…

BOTAFOGO 2 x 0 RESENDE.

In collective terms, it was another poor performance by Luís Castro’s team.

But it’s not his fault, it’s really the lack of options.

Patrick de Paula’s injury and Tiquinho Soares’ suspension dismantled the structure, and Botafogo lost the fit.

He suffered to impose himself and was about to be leaked on two occasions before Carlos Alberto made it 1-0 at the end of the first half.

In advantage, and with Lucas Fernandes, the team had a slight improvement and guaranteed victory without major surprises…

SUBTITLES / CREDITS

Photo 1: Full-back Pumita celebrates Vasco’s winning goal over Flamengo with his teammates – Daniel Ramalho / Vasco,

Photo 2: Andrey midfielder disputes the ball with midfielder Arrascaeta in his first match for the club in 2023 – Daniel Ramalho / Vasco

Photo 3: The Arrascaeta midfielder bumps into the midfielder’s marking Rodrigo: midfielder couldn’t find spaces – Daniel Ramalho / Vasco

Photo 4: Paulo Henrique Ganso celebrates the goal that opened the 5-0 defeat of Bangu – Diário Metrópes

Photo 5: Striker Carlos Alberto, scorer of Botafogo’s first goal, takes the team to the attack – Vítor Silva / Botafogo