This Sunday, February 23, 2025, the famous rivalry match between Vasco da Gama and Botafogo takes center stage as they clash at São Januário for the 11th and final round of the Campeonato Carioca. Kick-off is set for 18:30 (Brasília time), and fans can catch all the action live on Band, Premiere, and Canal GOAT.
Vasco currently sits fourth on the league table, holding 14 points after three wins, five draws, and two losses. Meanwhile, Botafogo is closely trailing behind at sixth place with 13 points from four victories, one draw, and five losses. With both teams eager to secure their spots for the semifinals, this encounter is poised to be pivotal for their trajectories within the tournament.
The stakes are undeniably high. For Vasco, the victory is necessary to guarantee advancement to the next stage, particularly important as they’ve struggled recently, not registering a win in their last four matches—collectively enduring two draws and two losses. Their last appearance saw them falling short against their fierce rivals, Flamengo, with a disappointing defeat of 2-0.
Botafogo, too, enters this match eager for redemption, especially following their recent setback against Racing, where they also lost 2-0. Facing off against their long-standing rivals, the team is expected to muster every ounce of effort, needing not just to defeat Vasco but also relying on other matches—specifically, they’ll be hoping for slips from Fluminense and Madureira to secure their place among the top four.
Both teams are tasked with combing through their injured rosters to finalize their lineups. For Vasco, manager Fábio Carille may have to shuffle his squad due to injuries: Adson, David, and Guilherme Estrella are sidelined, alongside Calvin Oliveira who is rumored to be uncertain due to fitness concerns. The anticipated starting line-up includes Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, João Victor, Lucas Freitas, and Lucas Piton; Hugo Moura, Jair, and Tchê Tchê (with Paulinho possibly substituting); along with Coutinho, Lukas Zuccarello (or Rayan), and Vegetti leading the attack.
Botafogo’s lineup will see John starting as goalkeeper, shielded by Vitinho, Danilo Barbosa, and Cuiabano alongside Jair (Serafim). The midfield is expected to see Allan and Marlon Freitas orchestrate play, with Savarino and Artur strategically positioned to support Igor Jesus and Matheus Martins up front. Unfortunately, they will have to contend without Alexander Barboza and Alex Telles, who are serving suspensions, alongside injuries to Bastos, David Ricardo, and Jeffinho.
Historically, this rivalry, known as the Clássico da Amizade, has been fiercely contested. Across their 322 matches, Vasco boasts the superior record with 135 wins against Botafogo's 89, and 96 matches have ended as draws. Their most recent encounter saw Botafogo triumphing over Vasco with a notable 3-0 victory, adding spice to the anticipation of this match.
The outcome of this match could hinge on the tactical strategies employed by both teams. Vasco’s management will be aiming to utilize their home-field advantage to create scoring opportunities early on and capitalize on any defensive lapses by Botafogo. On the other hand, Botafogo’s coaching staff, headed by interim manager Claudio Caçapa, will likely encourage fluid play and swift counterattacks to exploit any weaknesses shown by the Cruzmaltino during their recent struggles.
Fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be both thrilling and nail-biting. The roar of thousands of supporters will echo throughout São Januário, an integral factor often seen as the twelfth man for the home team. With the atmosphere just before kick-off always electric, the teams will surely feel the weight of fan expectation and the thrill of rivalry.
How the teams will cope under such pressure remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: both Vasco and Botafogo are determined to secure the win, which could define their seasons and fortunes for the upcoming semifinals. Everyone will be tuning in to see how the Clássico da Amizade plays out this Sunday!