The 10 jersey highlights the atmosphere at the Maracanã after the defeat to Fluminense and details the conversations in the locker room to avoid despair on the pitch
Vasco’s 2-1 victory over Fluminense, this Thursday (11), had the technical and mental signature of Philippe Coutinho. The number 10 not only organized the midfield, but also took on the role of an experienced leader to calm things down when the team fell behind on the scoreboard. In the mixed zone of the Maracanã, the star analyzed the triumph and made a comparison that filled the Cruz-Maltinos with pride. For the ‘Little Magician’, the energy coming from the stands in Rio has the same electricity as that of Anfield, home of Liverpool, where he enjoyed the peak of his European career.
The midfielder reported the physical sensation that supporters’ support causes in athletes.
“When we enter the pitch, seeing how they scream, we get goosebumps. It makes a total difference. I played in several places and I can say: in Liverpool it was the same. The fans entered the pitch together, they had goosebumps. It was very contagious,” Coutinho said.
According to him, this symbiosis was fundamental in pushing the team towards the turnaround in stoppage time.
Coutinho highlights his tactical position
In addition to the emotional factor, Coutinho detailed the team’s tactical position. The player disagreed with the analysis which showed that Vasco played poorly in the first half. For him, the team maintained its consistency from the first minute, but the goal failed. This mature reading sparked serious conversation in the locker room and during the game. The leader revealed that he had urged his teammates to remain calm so as not to give in to the pressure to attack in a disorganized manner.
“Some people thought we needed to attack faster, but that’s what I asked them: let’s be patient. We played well in the game, we managed to get into the opponent’s field. There was no point in going out and attacking in any way, then conceding the counter-attack and conceding another goal,” explained the number 11.
This maturity allowed Vasco to maintain possession of the ball and find space at the right time, culminating in goals from Rayan and Vegetti. Despite the euphoria, Coutinho kept his feet on the ground and preached total focus on physical recovery, reminding that the decision is open.
“Today we leave here happy, but on Sunday there will be more of us,” he concluded.
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