Old club curse? Cuiabano’s rise at Vasco sets up reunion with Grêmio | OneFootball

The hiring of coach Renato Portaluppi transformed the results of Vasco da Gama in the current edition of the Brasileirão. The cross-maltese team was stuck in the relegation zone before the change in the technical command. The impact was immediate, and the Carioca Club won seven points in the three matches played with the new coach on the sidelines. This number represents almost the entirety of the eight points the team has in the overall standings of the national championship.

The reaction in the tournament included emblematic victories in recent classics. Vasco defeated Palmeiras by a score of 2-1, a result that broke an uncomfortable 11-year winless streak against the São Paulo rival. Subsequently, the team managed a comeback with a 3-2 victory against Fluminense, with captain Thiago Mendes scoring the decisive goal. These triumphs lifted the club out of the relegation zone and boosted the confidence of individual players, such as left-back Cuiabano.

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The consolidation of the left-back in Vasco's starting lineup

The player arrived at São Januário at the beginning of the year, on loan from Nottingham Forest, England. The loan agreement expires in December. In the first few weeks, he struggled to secure a spot among the starters. The scenario changed, and recent numbers prove the evolution. In a snapshot of the last five matches, the player scored once and provided two direct assists for his teammates' goals.

Vasco's next game on the calendar marks a significant reunion for the 23-year-old left-back. The opponent of the round will be Grêmio, the institution responsible for his professional development. The player defended the colors of the Gaucho team for more than 12 years, from the youth categories until his departure in 2024.

Trajectory and new partnership in the cross-maltese attack

The negotiation that marked his departure from Rio Grande do Sul occurred exactly during the period when Renato was coaching the Grêmio team. The destination was Botafogo, a club where the athlete won the Copa Libertadores and the national competition that year. Despite being part of a victorious squad and lifting significant trophies, the left-back never managed to establish himself as an absolute starter in the clubs he previously defended.

The current stint at Vasco signals the moment of greatest regularity and prominence in his professional career. The left-back surpassed the competition from Lucas Piton and assumed the position of absolute owner. Besides defensive duties, he has become one of the most influential names in the attacking system designed by the coaching staff. On the left side of the field, the player established a productive offensive partnership alongside forward Andrés Gómez.

Cuiabano celebrates his goal against Palmeiras – Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.