Vasco boss hails win with ten men, backs his players for Copa do Brasil | OneFootball

Vasco boss hails win with ten men, backs his players for Copa do Brasil | OneFootball

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Papo na Colina

·16 October 2025

Vasco boss hails win with ten men, backs his players for Copa do Brasil

Article image:Vasco boss hails win with ten men, backs his players for Copa do Brasil

Coach Fernando Diniz celebrated the important 2-0 victory of Vasco over Fortaleza. For the coach, the result was the outcome of a well-executed strategy, even with one player down. He also praised the process of signing reinforcements, the team’s maturity, and did not hold back on compliments for Rayan, whom he described as the “most complete striker in Brazil.”


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Diniz explained that the team knew how to control the match even after Hugo Moura was sent off, as they were already used to this situation. He stated:

“Since I arrived, we’ve often trained with a numerical disadvantage. So, it’s a team that knows how to handle this kind of situation.”

He emphasized that, even with 10 men, the team managed to have counterattacks and control possession at certain moments.

Asked about the good form of the new center-back duo, Carlos Cuesta and Robert Renan, Diniz used their example to explain the recruitment process. He criticized the “crazy rush for signings during the transfer window” and valued the careful work involving the board, the scouting department, and the coaching staff.

“This joint work, always with that fear of making a mistake in signings (…) we ended up getting it right. Not just with these two, but we had a very good window,” he said.

Article image:Vasco boss hails win with ten men, backs his players for Copa do Brasil

Vasco’s coach at the post-victory press conference – Photo: Reproduction

Individual praise and an eye on the Brazilian National Team

Diniz heaped praise on his players. About Rayan, he said:

“I consider him perhaps the most complete striker in Brazilian football.”

He also praised Robert Renan, saying he doesn’t know of another left-footed center-back in the world with the same quality of build-up play at his age. The coach also named Léo Jardim and Paulo Henrique as “clear contenders” for a spot in the World Cup.

Finally, he dedicated the victory to Vegetti, who was celebrating his birthday and, according to him, remains “our great captain.”

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

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