Confident John Kennedy to start in derby reunion with Diniz vs Vasco | OneFootball

The forward, who is enjoying a good moment under Zubeldía's leadership, is preparing for a duel with the coach who was crucial at the peak of his career, during the 2023 Libertadores victory.

On the night of this Monday (20th), in the match against Vasco at 7:30 PM at Maracanã, for the 29th round of the Brazilian Championship, John Kennedy, the “Bear,” as he is affectionately called by the fans, is expected to start the match as a starter, in a moment of clear rise and, symbolically, in front of his former mentor, Fernando Diniz.

The likely inclusion of JK in place of Germán Cano is no surprise for those who follow the daily life of the Tricolor. It is the result of a rediscovery process. In a recent interview with FluTV, the forward himself admitted the change in phase. “I’m very happy, obviously. Confidence is gradually returning, and I hope to continue helping the team with good performances, especially with goals that I need,” stated the number 9.

The numbers under Luís Zubeldía's command confirm the good phase; in the last four games he played, John Kennedy contributed with a goal and an assist. The Argentine coach, who previously saw the forward as a “player number 12,” a powerful weapon to unsettle tired defenses in the second half, now seems convinced to give the young player the responsibility of starting the Clássico dos Gigantes. The bet is on his “explosiveness” and the “unpredictable dynamics that good players give you,” as Zubeldía himself defined.

Besides the importance in the standings, the classic holds a special reunion between John Kennedy and Fernando Diniz. The relationship between the two was one of the pillars for the conquest of the Eternal Glory in 2023. It was Diniz who bet on the forward's recovery amid off-field issues, offering demands, advice, and above all, confidence.

This bet was paid off in the most heroic way possible. Who doesn’t remember Diniz's prophecy before the Conmebol Libertadores final against Boca Juniors? “You will score the winning goal!” said the coach to the forward. Minutes later, a first-time shot by John Kennedy secured Fluminense the most important trophy in its history and immortalized both their names in the club’s journey.

Now, on opposite sides, Diniz seeks to consolidate his recovery work at Vasco, while John Kennedy tries to reaffirm his prominence at Fluminense.

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