Throughout the season, Vasco’s Achilles heel has been the defensive system. But as fate would have it, thanks to the hard work of coach Fernando Diniz with the players, the defense came together at the most decisive moment of the year. In the semi-final against Fluminense and, especially in the first match of the Copa do Brasil final against Corinthians, the sector was decisive for the results. This Sunday, in a crowded Maracanã, we expect the turnaround to be definitive. Having the advantage of playing at home, the team needs a simple victory to celebrate a national title again after 14 years.
Diniz praised the performance of the defensive system after the 0-0 draw in the first leg at the Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo.
— The team perhaps played the best game defensively under my command. The cast was very obedient. Some players in a particular way, like Coutinho and Rayan. Characteristically, they sacrificed a lot to make things happen the way they did, the coach said.
The better chemistry between the defender duo Carlos Cuesta and Robert Renan also explains the gradual improvement in the sector. Both made their debuts in September this year, played 15 games together and conceded 18 goals (average 1.2 goals per game).
The arrival of the defenders — Cuesta, 26 years old and Renan, 22 years old — had direct participation from the coach in the choice and negotiation with the players. Without the duo on the pitch, the team, under Diniz, conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game.
The coach’s euphoria over the performance of Vasco’s defense is justified. Before the final stages of the Copa do Brasil, the team said goodbye to the Brazilian Championship with a 5-0 defeat against Atlético-MG — the biggest of the year, but without the presence of the starting defenders.
In 2025, Vasco’s overall figures in the sector are not proud. Among the teams that competed in Serie A this year, they have the second worst defense, with 92 goals, behind the relegated Sport, with 94. On the other hand, the team has an offensive power which helped to balance the score. There have been 93 goals scored in 70 matches, making them the sixth best attack in the country, ahead of Cruzeiro, Mirassol and Botafogo, for example.
— Vasco had structural problems to defend at several times of the year. The problem was alleviated with the arrival of two good defenders, like Cuesta and Robert Renan. In the match against Corinthians there was also a lot of good work off the ball from players like Nuno Moreira, Andrés Gomez and even Coutinho and Rayan, the first to put pressure on the Corinthians defenders. Behind them, Barros and Thiago Mendes also provided excellent support, analyzes columnist Carlos Eduardo Mansur of GLOBO.
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The performance peak may have come at the right time. Faced with Memphis Depay, Yuri Alberto and Garro and the Brazilian Cup specialist Dorival Júnior, the team will however have to maintain their full attention throughout the 90 minutes. After all, Diniz knows that it won’t always be possible to maintain his style of play or the absolute dedication of players like Philippe Coutinho throughout the match.
— Vasco will have to repeat this good work at the Maracanã, to have the stability that he did not obtain throughout the year — concludes Mansur.
This Friday, the team held its penultimate training session at CT Moacyr Barbosa with all available starters. Diniz is expected to retain the starting XI that drew São Paulo. Among the reservists, the injured is Mateus Cocão, injured in the left knee.
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