Vasco and Fluminense begin the semi-final of Copa of Brasil 2025 this Thursday, December 11th, at 8pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, Rio of The first game puts Cruzmaltino as home team in search of an advantage over Tricolor. The live broadcast takes place on sportv, Premiere and Amazon Prime, with real-time coverage on ge.
Left-back Lucas Piton is out of the match due to a knee injury, confirmed as being absent for the remainder of the season. The official lineup comes out an hour before the ball rolls, but Puma Rodríguez must replace him in the likely formation. Fluminense arrives with a seven-game unbeaten run and a focus on solid defense.
- Broadcast on closed TV: sportv and Premiere for subscribers.
- Streaming: Amazon Prime with access via app or web.
- Tracking: ge offers free bids, statistics and videos.
Confirmed broadcast channels
sportv covers the classic with narration dedicated to Rio games. Assinantes access in HD in the basic sports packages.
Premiere provides pay-per-view with real-time tactical analysis. The platform displays all Copa matches from Brasil 2025.
Embezzlement and related in Vasco
Vasco released the list of players available for Maracanã. Goleiros: Allan Vitor, Léo Jardim and Pablo.
Defenders: Cuesta, Lucas Freitas, Lucas Oliveira, Paulo Henrique, Puma Rodríguez, Robert Renan and Meias: Barros, Coutinho, Hugo Moura, Mateus Carvalho, Paulinho,
Forwards: Andrés Gómez, David, GB, Matheus França, Nuno Moreira, Rayan and Vegetti. Piton is not part of the group due to injury to the medial collateral ligament of the left knee.
Arbitration for the first match
Raphael Claus referees the duel at the Rio stadium. The referee from São Paulo has played 15 games this season with an average of 4.2 cards per game.
Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis serves as assistant 1. Alex Ang Ribeiro covers auxiliary line 2.
Daniel Nobre Bins operates the VAR in the technical cabin. Alex Gomes Stefano acts as fourth referee.
Impact of the absence of Piton on Vasco
Piton’s injury occurred in the penultimate round of Brasileirão. The left-back will be out for the rest of 2025, forcing adjustments in the defense.
Puma Rodríguez takes the position and trained intensely during the week. The team prioritizes tactical balance to compensate for the loss.
Fernando Diniz has an almost complete squad despite the absence. Outras absences include Jair due to a knee injury and Adson with a tibial fracture.
Garré remains in physical transition and has not been listed. The focus is on quick transitions to explore Fluminense.
Probable lineup of Vasco without Piton
Diniz aligns Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Cuesta, Robert Renan and Puma Rodríguez; Thiago Mendes, Barros and Coutinho; Nuno Moreira, Andrés Gómez and Rayan. Replacing Piton with Puma maintains the defensive structure with three defenders.
Coutinho reinforces the midfield after returning from suspension. The attack seeks speed with Rayan and Gómez on the wings.
Recent training sessions have emphasized high marking against Tricolor. Vasco eliminated Botafogo on penalties in the quarterfinals.
Fluminense undefeated streak
The tricolor team finished the Brasileirão in fifth place with 64 points. The place in Libertadores 2026 came from seven games without defeat, including five wins.
Luis Zubeldía manages a defense that conceded just five goals in Copa of Brasil. The attack scored 20 goals in the competition until the semifinals.
The three final victories at the nationals boosted collective confidence. The squad is looking for its second national championship after a solid campaign.
Absences and probable formation in Fluminense
Zubeldía scale Fábio; Samuel Xavier, Thiago Silva, Freytes and Renê; Martinelli, Hércules and Lucho Acosta; Soteldo, Serna and Everaldo. Canobbio is suspended and is out of the first game.
Cano and Manoel treat muscle injuries in the medical department. Nonato appears as an option for variations in midfield.
The coach tested adjustments in collectives to maintain tactical solidity. Soteldo gained minutes with assists in recent rounds.
Recent history in the classic
The teams faced each other three times during the season, with balanced results. Fluminense won Brasileirão’s first duel 2-1.
Vasco reacted in the return with a 2-0 victory over their rival. Pela Copa of Brasil, history favors Tricolor in past editions.
Maracanã welcomes the clash with high expectations of an audience. The return game takes place on Sunday, December 14, at 8:30 pm.
