Pedro Emanuel's Vasco drew 0-0 with Independiente Santa Fe in Bogotá, Colombia, for the Copa Sul-Americana, earning the 24th point in 16 games under the Portuguese coach. The result was achieved with an almost entirely reserve lineup, which reinforces the impression of tactical maturity of the team.
The Vasco fans are divided between depression over the performance in the Brazilian Championship and euphoria over the campaigns in the CBF Cup and Conmebol Cup. From the team that started the match against Fluminense on the previous Saturday, only goalkeeper Leo Jardim and fullback Lucas Pitton began the duel against the Colombians.
The match was played at the 2,640 meters of altitude of the Colombian capital. Despite the pressure from the home team in the final minutes, Vasco could have returned with a victory, competing with a tactical intelligence that was absent in the Rio de Janeiro derby against Fluminense.
The number of points accumulated by Pedro Emanuel is important because it indicates an average of 1.5 points per game. If applied to the remaining 13 rounds of the Brasileirão, that average would lead to the 45 points that would theoretically save the team from relegation. The article itself acknowledges that it is all very theoretical, considering recent work and a squad still poorly utilized.
