The 2012 season was Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama's 114th year in existence, the club's 97th season in existence of football, and the club's 41st season playing in the Brasileirão Série A, the top flight of Brazilian football. The 2008 season was the only season where the team was down graded resulting in their playing in the Brasileirão Série B in the 2009 season.
After doing well in the 2011 season, Vasco da Gama aimed to win its 5th title of the Brasileirão Série A. The team came close to achieving this in 2011, but lost to the Corinthians. As well as competing in the series A, Vasco da Gama returned to the Copa Libertadores (the main football competition of the Americas). In the eleven years after the 2001 Copa Libertadores, the team had enjoyed 8 consecutive wins which was a record, before being eliminated by Boca Juniors, the 2001 finalists. Despite doing so well, Vasco da Gama could not defend the title of champion of Copa do Brasil, because of conflicting schedules. (A Brazilian team competing in the Copa Libertadores cannot compete in the Copa do Brasil but this is planned for reconsideration for the 2013 Copa do Brasil).
Season overview
Pre-season
Vasco da Gama, unlike some other Brazilian clubs, decided to keep its main lineup of the 2011 season for 2012. Top players, like Dedé, Rômulo, Felipe, Juninho Pernambucano and Bernardo, were kept on, at least for the Copa Libertadores competition, which only takes up the first half of the season."Rodrigo Caetano: "The 2011 basis will further strengthen our team" Organizações Globo. (Portuguese) 5 December 2011. Accessed 5 December 2011. Despite this, there are other players who may play for Vasco da Gama in the 2012 season. Some of them are: the centre backs Réver, of Atlético Mineiro, Rodolfo, from Grêmio (on loan from Lokomotiv Moscow), Miranda, from Atlético Madrid, and Leandro Almeida, from Dynamo Kyiv, the left backs Maxwell, from Barcelona, and Kléber, from Internacional, the Argentine attacking midfielder Walter Montillo, from Cruzeiro, the Chilean second striker Eduardo Vargas, from Universidad de Chile, the Colombian second striker Jonathan Copete, from Santa Fe, and the strikers Diego Tardelli, from Anzhi Makhachkala, and the Argentine Facundo Parra, from Independiente. Another possibility would be the return, by loan from Al-Jaish, of the central back Anderson Martins. But despite his wishes to return, he stated that could not because of his contract. Moreover, he had not yet made his debut for his new club, as it had not registered for the Qatar Stars League."Anderson Martins denies return to Vasco: "No chance" Organizações Globo. (Portuguese) 6 December 2011 Accessed 6 December 2011.
Players leaving the team Vasco da Gama announced several outputs: on 8 December, announced the contract rescission of the Paraguayan full back Julio Irrazábal. On 9 December, announced the free transfer of the central back Gian Mariano (which was loaned to Avaí) to Ponte Preta. On 11 December, the contract rescission of the central back Jadson Viera, who was on loan to the Nacional (Montevideo) (coincidentally, the chief opponent of the Vasco da Gama in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores), was signed. On 13 December, announced the loan of the second striker Rodrigo Pimpão (which was loaned to Omiya Ardija) and the attacking midfielder Enrico (which was loaned to Ceará) to Ponte Preta. Also on 13 December, was announced the transfer of the striker Élton to Corinthians. On 2 January, was announced the loan of the playmaker Jéferson for three seasons to Bahia, by winning a dispute with the Náutico. On 4 January, Vasco da Gama announced the contract rescission of the striker Patrick. On 7 January, Vasco da Gama announced the loan of the left back Márcio Careca to Mirassol. On 20 January, Vasco da Gama lost the multipurpose Jumar. Jumar was traded to the Guangzhou R&F.
Transfers Vasco da Gama commenced their summer transfer activity on 3 January, signing the central back Rodolfo, after several negotiations with Lokomotiv Moscow, on a free transfer. Rodolfo has presented at the club in the same day. Also on 3 January, the attacking midfielder Bernardo (who was loaned to Vasco da Gama since the 2011 season), has signed a new contract, this time of purchase. Bernardo signed for three seasons in a transfer reported to be worth €1,45 million. On 4 January, the left-back Thiago Feltri sign contract for three seasons from Atlético Goianiense on a free transfer, after Feltri would be approved in the medical examinations on 27 December. On 10 January, Vasco da Gama hit with Argentine midfielder Matías Abelairas. Abelairas came six months after being away from the fields, long after passing by the River Plate, where it was revealed. On 14 January, Vasco da Gama hit the signing of Ecuatorian striker Carlos Tenorio. Tenorio was presented by the current club president Roberto Dinamite, who was also a striker, like Tenorio. Tenorio comes after passage through the Middle East, where he played for Al-Nasr and the Al-Sadd (in the latter, he played along with the playmaker Felipe).
Despite this back-and-coming players, the biggest change, so far, was in the club management: the departure of Rodrigo Caetano, director of football, which was doing a great and victorious job in the club since 2009. Many names are speculative, but the favorite of the management is Marco Aurélio Cunha, currently alderman of São Paulo and former director of football of São Paulo. Furthermore, Cunha has a great relationship with coach Ricardo Gomes, which would facilitate his coming. After many days with uncertainties and negotiations with various names like Newton Drummond (who refused the proposal) and Ocimar Bolicenho (who suffered rejection by the Vasco da Gama fans), finally announced the new director of football: Daniel Freitas (known as the "right-hand man" by Rodrigo Caetano) was presented on 5 January, along with Thiago Feltri.
January
Vasco da Gama debuted in the state championship by defeating Americano: 2–0. With some subjects, such as Fernando Prass, Dedé, Juninho Pernambucano and Diego Souza, gave only two new faces among the Starting XI: Thiago Feltri, debuting in Vasco da Gama, and Leandro Chaparro, who for the first time in Vasco da Gama, begins a game as a starter. Even with all playing well, the highlight was Fagner. In the first goal, he crossed to Alecsandro score. And he did the second, after beautiful assist from Dedé. The highlight negative was Jonathan. Jonathan, who replaced Leandro Chaparro in the second half, was sent off after a scuffle with Mário Loyola. On 25 January, Vasco da Gama announced the out of the central back Víctor Ramos. Víctor Ramos, player belonging to Standard Liège, was loaning to Vitória. In the second round, in the debut of Rodolfo, Vasco da Gama won Duque de Caxias, 3–1. Juninho Pernambucano opened the scoring on a beautiful long shot. Gilcimar tied up, but Alecsandro, after corner kick from Juninho Pernambucano, and Diego Souza, after crossing from Fagner, finished the scoring. Not a very strong rain that hit Macaé during the game stopped the good work of Vasco da Gama. On 31 January, Vasco da Gama announced the loan of the goalkeeper Tiago to Grêmio Barueri.
February
Under intense pressure, Vasco da Gama beat Bangu with a final score of 3–1; Alecsandro, in a penalty kick, opened with the game's first goal. However, the game was paused for ten minutes after confusion arose between the fans and police; an explosion of tear gas occurred and everyone in the stadium was affected. Following the break, a tie was secured by Bangu after Tiano converted a penalty. Thiago Feltri and Bernardo then converted a free kick to regain the lead and secure eventual victory for their club.
In the fourth round, Vasco da Gama beat Friburguense with a score of 2–0. The game marked the debut of the third uniform design for the season: a blue uniform, in reference to the maritime staff origins of the club. Diego Souza was the highlight of the match, scoring two goals, assisted by Juninho Pernambucano and Felipe, respectively.
Considerable expectation surrounded the return of the Vasco da Gama club to the Copa Libertadores. However, the club was unable to emerge victorious, with observers citing nervousness, a lack of luck and unusual errors for the 2–1 defeat at São Januário to Nacional. The Nacional opened the scoring on a corner kick move. At first, the goal was given to Andrés Scotti, but then was marked own goal by Dedé. In the second half, on the first pitch, Vicente Sánchez opened 2–0. Alecsandro decreased the score (2-1), and Vasco da Gama drew a reaction, that included a goal from Carlos Tenorio (but that was canceled as well), but it was.
The defeat of Vasco da Gama to the Nacional was considered overwhelming and contributed to a discussion about the level of Brazilian football at the time, which had been initiated following games like Flamengo vs. Universidad de Chile (0-4), and Santos vs. Barcelona (0-4).
In a game on 12 February 2012, Vasco da Gama defeated the Fluminense Football Club, 2–1, in the Clássico dos Gigantes ("Giants derby"). Fluminense gained the lead position due to a goal from Thiago Neves, but Alecsandro, with two opportunistic goals, secured eventual victory for the Vasco da Gama club. However, the performances during the match was overshadowed by the Brazilian media's focus upon the perceived poor performance of referee, Antonio Schneider.
In a postponed game (15 February), Vasco da Gama won the Volta Redonda 3–0 at São Januário. Alecsandro, assisted by Fellipe Bastos scored the first. Wiliam Barbio, assisted by Alecsandro, scored the second and his first goal for Vasco da Gama. And Alecsandro, in penalty suffered by Thiago Feltri, closed the scoring. All this in just the first time. But, during this game, the news fell like a bombshell in the club: Bernardo, darling of the crowd, opened in a day, a lawsuit against the club, asking for the termination of his contract, on behalf of non-payment of your FGTS (Fundo de Garantia por Tempo de Serviço). The crowd, heard the news, booed Bernardo when it was replaced by Jonathan. Bernardo, in response, applauded (ironically) and made a gesture telling the crowd to shut up. The situation of Bernardo will be resolved only after the Carnival.
On 18 February, Vasco da Gama beat Boavista 1–0. Vasco da Gama took the field already qualified and guaranteed first place. Still, the team, most of them reserves, with a goal by Kim, guaranteed perfect recovery in the first phase of the Taça Guanabara. On 22 February, in Clássico dos Milhões (the Millions Classic), Vasco da Gama beat Flamengo, in his signature style (turning), for 2–1. Flamengo took the lead with Vágner Love, after a bid with Ronaldinho and Deivid. But Vasco da Gama drew with Alecsandro, after a kick by Juninho Pernambucano and rebound granted by Felipe. In the first half, the game had various chances for both sides, and a missed goal by Deivid. In the second half, the teams got tired and slowed down. But the Vasco da Gama persisted and succeeded: after a cross from Kim, Fagner headed. Felipe rebound again and Diego Souza added to give final numbers to the game that has had a confusion between Willians and Fellipe Bastos. The performance of the team of Vasco da Gama, especially Juninho Pernambucano and Dedé, and the poor performances of Ronaldinho and Felipe, both of the Flamengo, were overshadowed by the bid of Deivid, who won worldwide repercussions.