Internally, the Tricolores know how important it is to win the rival to arrive with elevated morale for the continental decision. This is especially true given the recent history of the rivalry, which has been marked by provocations and eliminations. The team's comandados, led by Marcão, are aware of the importance of breaking the sequence of four games without winning the rival to help call the fans to their side.
Recent provocations have elevated the temperature, and the team is expected to have maximum force on the field for the match. The understanding is that the week-long break from games has left the team physically fit to compete at a high level, both on Saturday and on Tuesday. The tendency is that the starters will be rested in the next round, against Atlético-MG in the Arena MRV, with Thiago Silva and other more worn-out starters likely to be left out.
The match against Vasco is the last chapter of the rivalry in 2026, as both teams will not be competing in the same continental tournament. Fluminense is in the Libertadores quarterfinals, while Vasco is in the Sul-Americana.