The Vasco da Gama football club is gearing up for a challenging 2025 season with a clear focus on the Copa Sul-Americana. After a mixed performance in the Campeonato Carioca, where the team was eliminated in the semifinals by rivals Flamengo, the club is now casting its eyes on future victories. Paulo Henrique, a key figure for the Cruzmaltino, expressed his optimism about the team's chances in both the Copa do Brasil and Copa Sul-Americana this year.
“We always enter a competition to win, not just to compete. This year we have three very challenging competitions. I believe last year we proved we could have reached the finals of the Copa do Brasil. We have goals this year too,” said Paulo Henrique in a recent interview with BTB Sports.
In the Copa do Brasil, Vasco successfully progressed to the third phase with victories over União Rondonópolis and Nova Iguaçu, showcasing potential that the team hopes will carry over into heavier competition. Their record over the first 15 games of the season stands at six wins, five draws, and four losses, scoring 20 goals while conceding 12. Though the team performed respectably, they faced a significant challenge from higher-investment squads.
In terms of individual accomplishments, regarding the state's 2025 football race, Internacional clinched their 46th Campeonato Gaúcho title with a phenomenal 83.3% success rate, finally breaking an eight-year title drought. Meanwhile, Flamengo celebrated their own triumph, securing back-to-back victories in the Campeonato Carioca after defeating Fluminense in the finals.
As for Vasco's internal structure, Fábio Carille's team has seen a notable restructuring, adding eight new players during the off-season, including impactful signings like goalkeeper Daniel Fuzato and attacker Nuno Moreira. Each player's contribution is anticipated to enhance the current roster as the team prepares for the Brasileirão and other competitions.
Paulo Henrique is among the players who affirm confidence in a victorious future. Having expressed determination, he added, “We already proved that we are capable, and we are going to work hard to achieve something this year.” His sentiment resonates throughout the club, as they prepare for an upcoming training match against Boavista, which they managed to win 2-1. During this training, the squad aligned satisfaction with newfound tactics under Carille's leadership.
In that training session, the first period featured Souza acting as the second midfielder alongside Hugo Moura. Despite an early goal from Boavista, Vasco rallied back with two goals from Sforza and Payet, the latter scoring from a penalty.
The statistics show that in the ongoing 2025 season, Vasco has logged a total of 15 matches, achieving six victories, five draws, and four losses. They're not just aiming for accomplishments in the regional leagues, but any team setting their sights high must continually assess performance metrics—currently, Vasco has not scored in four games and secured clean sheets in seven. The goalscorer Vegetti leads the team with an impressive seven goals, underpinned by Coutinho's contributions at four, marking them both as pivotal players for the club's campaign.
With all the new signings and an ambitious outlook, expectations are high. The club stands ready to enter an important period of competition as they continue to build team chemistry and adapt to their strategy. “The would-be champions,” as Paulo Henrique calls them, are keenly aware of the hurdles ahead but remain optimistic about their potential to make 2025 a memorable year in their club's storied history.
The fans of Vasco da Gama remain hopeful and engaged as the season continues to develop. They enthusiastically support and rally behind their team, reconfirming that every match day counts. With the collective efforts of players, management, and fans alike, all are eager to see what unfolds as the Copa Sul-Americana approaches.
In closing, the hope and expectation for a triumphant season culminate from last year's near-misses, where strategic efforts and skill development pave the way for potential achievements. This ambition drives Vasco da Gama forward in their exciting 2025 journey.
