Fernando Diniz Benches GB; Johan Rojas Starts for Vasco Against Mirassol Debut
The Vasco da Gama football club is set to make its debut in the 2026 Brasileirão season against Mirassol. This matchup will take place on Thursday, March 29, at 20:00 (Brasília time) at Estádio Maião, located in São Paulo. After a recent victory over Boavista in the Campeonato Carioca, coach Fernando Diniz is making strategic changes.
Fernando Diniz’s Lineup Decisions
In a surprising twist, Diniz has decided to bench striker GB. Instead, midfielder Johan Rojas is slated to start, signaling a shift towards a faster attacking strategy. This change comes as the squad faces challenges with regularizations, as players Hinestroza and Brenner have not been cleared on the CBF’s Bid.
Current Squad Overview
With the absence of Rayan and Vegetti, who have left the club, Diniz is still in search of the ideal attacking formation. There is speculation that Philippe Coutinho may play in a false 9 role. Rojas, who has participated in two games with Vasco, brings midfield creativity.
The expected starting lineup for Vasco includes:
- Léo Jardim (Goalkeeper)
- Puma, Cuesta, Robert Renan, and Piton (Defense)
- Barros, Thiago Mendes, Nuno Moreira, Coutinho, Andrés Gomez, and Rojas (Midfield/Attack)
Paulo Henrique will miss the match due to foot pain, and Puma Rodríguez is set to step in as a replacement.
Historical Context Against Mirassol
Vasco has faced Mirassol twice in previous league encounters, suffering losses in both the first and second halves of the 2025 season. Coach Diniz aims to break this unfavorable record during their upcoming match.
Goals for the Season
Last season, Vasco finished in the lower half of the league standings, missing out on a place in the Copa Libertadores. With a more stable core team and potential new signings, the club aspires for a stronger performance in the 2026 season.
Fans are eager to see if this revised strategy will yield better results against Mirassol. Stay tuned to Filmogaz.com for updates and insights on the match.
