Cruzmaltino won 3-2 and added three important points in the Brasileirão standings
Vasco hosted Bahia in São Januário and won the important clash in the race for a place in the 2025 Libertadores. Vasco played a good game, but in the second half they left something to be desired and came close to three points.
With the victory, Cruzmaltino now has 43 points and occupies ninth place, a fact that has thrilled the fans, who dream of returning to the Copa Libertadores, a competition in which the club has not played since 2017.
In the press conference, coach Rafael Paiva appreciated the team’s performance in front of the fans. His team had not scored three goals in a match since the 4-1 against São Paulo in the first round, in this São Januário. This clash marked Rafael Paiva’s debut at the helm of Cruzmaltino.
“What was most worrying, especially in the previous match, was the mental exhaustion. We knew the game would flow more today. It was a very difficult opponent, Bahia has the best ball possession of the Brazilian. We knew we had to press, launch counterattacks. We knew we had to rest with the ball otherwise we wouldn’t sustain the intensity of the game. We managed to control possession and this gave us the energy to attack and make the best decision“
“The team was lighter, intact, mentally strong. We had a good first half and in the end we conceded a goal. But today we played a great match. Four different players came in and showed potential. We are very satisfied with the result“said Rafael Paiva regarding the team’s departure.
“The opponent’s momentum counts a lot. They start to throw themselves into the game more, with more players on the last line. It’s more about that than not being able to do it. We had the chance to score a fourth goal, With Payet we could have controlled more, we created him for that. In the end the opponent does everything or nothing. There was a lot of credit on Bahia’s part, but we tolerated it well.”Rafael Paiva said regarding the reaction of the opposing team.
“Today we had four different players. Galdames has great quality, Chilean team. We know that when he arrives he will be able to handle it. At a certain point there was a bad phase. We have many talented players. If the fans support them, they will give something good. Galdames is tenacious, has technical qualities, Rayan had a lot of potential, but Maicon took Léo’s place and looked for better things in the competition.”concluded on the changes in the starting team.
Rafael Paiva commented on the individual and tactical facts of the team
Midfielder Payet made a brilliant performance, scored two goals and led Vasco to victory, the Cruzmaltina team has never lost in the clashes in which the Frenchman scored.
“I’m happy to see this. We hope to reach this level of play more often with Payet. He’s a great player, he showed it today. It’s a shame, he had the opportunity to score the third goal, it’s a rarity in Brazil. He’s very competitive, he wants to play, he’s trying to grow physically, he’s an older player, we have to be patient.”
“He played less in the last match, so he was more complete. We have to see match by match to make the best decision compared to Payet, Coutinho, compared to both together. We need to understand how he will be in the next few days to try to reach the maximum of both, regardless of whether it is one, the other or both”, The coach concluded.
The coach took the opportunity to concentrate on the next match, away, against league leaders Botafogo.
“Playing at home makes a lot of difference. We had a very difficult September, no matches in Rio. Difficult opponents, some at the top. We suffered a lot. At home it makes the difference, the fans push hard, the atmosphere is different”said the coach praising the São Januário fans.
“The last match we played in Engenhão was a good match, it was against Fluminense. We have to try to reach that level. We know the weight, Botafogo will fight for the Brazilian title. It will be a great classic to aim for something more big.” things”, concluded Rafael Paiva.
Then Rafael Paiva talked about the tactical aspects of the match, the use of basic athletes and the Puma and Paulo Henrique combination on Vasco’s side of the pitch.
“For me it is a pleasure to place athletes from the grassroots. They have the potential to become professionals. Without a doubt, fighting on the front page is much better for placing athletes than on the back page or fighting against Z-4. We will try to use caution, respecting the players who have been there since the beginning of the season. We need the basic athletes, we have to give them the push. We had the pleasure of bringing in Alegria, a player who is doing very well in the Under 23s. We will try with discretion to be as assertive as possible to give more minutes to the basic players.”
“It’s a style that is working. More and more refined in the movements, in the readings, in the defensive part. Today Puma played another great match. Another fluctuating player, the fans took it out on him. You have to have Never mind, he’s a player for the Uruguayan national team.” team, was called up in the last two rounds of FIFA Data. We are satisfied with his performance as it was today.concluded the Cruzmaltino coach.
Vasco’s program
Vasco returns to the field to face Botafogo on Tuesday (5), at the Nilton Santos Stadium. The match valid for the 32nd day of the Brazilian Championship will be played at 9.30pm (Brasilia time). Then, again in the Brasileirão, another away match, in the 33rd round the opponent will be Fortaleza, at Castelão.
If Cruzmaltino maintains the positive streak, the chances of the team led by Rafael Paiva to secure a place in the 2025 Libertadores will increase.
Source: Terra
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