São Paulo Faces Vasco da Gama Missing 8 Key Players, Gains 1 Reinforcement
São Paulo travels to Rio to meet Vasco da Gama on Saturday, the 18th, at 18:30. The match is part of the 12th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro 2026 at São Januário.
Final session before departure
The squad completed preparations on Friday the 17th at SuperCT. Coach Roger Machado opened the session with a video briefing. He then led warm-ups, tactical drills, and a small-sided game focused on build-up play.
Absences and expected lineup change
São Paulo faces Vasco da Gama, missing eight key players while gaining one reinforcement. Sabino is available again and is likely to start alongside Alan Franco.
- Ryan Francisco — was involved with the under-20 team and is absent.
- Paulinho — not fully recovered and unavailable.
- Rafael Toloi — suspended after accumulating a third yellow card.
- Lucas Ramon — suspended following a red card and will not travel.
- Ferreira — sidelined with edema in the posterior left thigh.
- Pablo Maia — recovering from facial and nasal fracture surgery.
- Lucas — out with fractures to two ribs.
- Marcos Antonio — injured the rectus femoris in his right thigh.
Squad adjustments and options
Roger Machado identified two internal options who may be introduced. The coach has reshuffled plans to cope with the absences. Sabino’s return provides a key defensive reinforcement.
Standings and context
São Paulo sits third in the league. The team has 20 points from 11 matches.
Vasco arrives under pressure, with five games without a victory. The two coaches have a long rivalry. Roger Machado and Renato Gaúcho share an even record of five wins each against one another.
Filmogaz.com will monitor squad news and provide updates ahead of kickoff.
