Diniz and the Maracanã: all his elite titles have come at the stadium | OneFootball

Vasco will play for the 2025 Copa do Brasil at the Maracanã, a venue where Fernando Diniz has felt at home. Since rising to the elite, all of his major trophies have been won there.

According to Globo.com, after beating Fluminense in the semi-final Diniz made clear he preferred the Maracanã to São Januário for the decider. He acknowledged São Januário is home, but argued the Maracanã offers a far bigger crowd and superior conditions for their style.

Since taking Athletico in 2018, his first big-club role, Diniz has lifted three titles. All came with Fluminense, the side he has managed most, 188 matches across two spells.

Those honours were the 2023 Carioca, the 2023 Libertadores and the 2024 Recopa Sudamericana. The 2023 Taça Guanabara, one stage of the Rio state championship, was also clinched at the Maracanã.

He reached two finals elsewhere, losing the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup to Manchester City at King Abdullah Stadium in Saudi Arabia, and last year the Copa Sudamericana with Cruzeiro against Racing at Estadio General Pablo Rojas in Asunción. He finished runner-up in both.

Diniz also won three trophies earlier with smaller clubs, the 2009 Paulista A3 and Copa Paulista with Votoraty, and the 2010 Copa Paulista with Paulista de Jundiaí. After a 0-0 draw with Corinthians in the first leg at Neo Química Arena, he said the backing of the Vasco crowd will be fundamental at a sold-out Maracanã.

Vasco face Corinthians at the Maracanã on Sunday at 18:00 Brasília time. The winners take the Copa do Brasil, another draw sends it to penalties.

Source: Globo.com