Fluminense has Canobbio as asset to overcome deficit against Vasco in Copa do Brasil semi-final

• Analysis: Fluminense pays dearly for Freytes’ complacency and mistakes during their defeat against Vasco in the Copa do Brasil
• Look: Zubeldía cites Vasco’s improvement, but believes Fluminense will reverse Copa do Brasil disadvantage: ‘It’s been 180 minutes’

The person who can help the team regain momentum to overcome the second leg deficit is Canobbio, who gave way to Soteldo for serving a suspension for his third yellow card. The Venezuelan even had to leave the field at the start of the second half due to hip pain and is doubtful for tomorrow’s duel.

Known for running until the last drop of sweat, Canobbio has already shown that he knows how to work hard when necessary. Proof of this is that the Uruguayan plays an important role in two phases of the game in which the team left something to be desired in the classic: pressure on the opposing ball and defensive recovery. It’s no wonder that in this year’s Brazilian Championship he was the team’s leader in tackles, averaging 1.9 per game, alongside left-back Renê.

— Along with Lucho Acosta, Canobbio is Fluminense’s best player during the Zubeldía era. He changes the level of the team, without a shadow of a doubt. He has a good reading to score the ball, knows when to press, shows great tactical dedication by following the back to the end and still has the physical capacity to do all this without failing to attack very well — underlines Rodrigo Coutinho, commentator of Grupo Globo.

Among Zubeldía’s merits so far, the high line marking paid off, but Flu showed signs that he lacked the legs to maintain the pace throughout the 90 minutes. Even the entry of a more physical player in the middle, like Hércules replacing Nonato, in the 27th minute of the final phase, did not succeed in renewing the team’s energy.