Vasco face Fluminense and aim to end a frustrating drought, find out more! | OneFootball

The match between Vasco da Gama and Fluminense next Monday (20th) carries a weight that goes beyond rivalry and the fight for a spot in the Libertadores. The clash at Maracanã represents a chance for the club to break an uncomfortable drought of more than five years without defeating their rival at the stadium. Interestingly, breaking this taboo also represents a personal challenge for coach Fernando Diniz.

+ Vasco faces a marathon of games to pursue the Libertadores; see more!

Vasco's last victory had Diniz on the other side

The last time Vasco defeated Fluminense at Maracanã was in the final of the 2019 Taça Guanabara. On that occasion, the 1-0 victory, with a free-kick goal by Danilo Barcelos, had a detail that fate now brings back into focus: the coach of the tricolor team was none other than Fernando Diniz.

Since that final, the Cruz-Maltino has not experienced a victory over the Tricolor on the biggest stage of football. The long period without triumphs in the direct confrontation at the stadium has become one of the droughts that most bothers Vasco's fans.

Breaking the taboo is worth consolidation at the top

Monday's classic, therefore, is a golden opportunity for Diniz, now on Vasco's side, to rewrite this story. The victory would not only end the negative streak but also be crucial in the direct fight for positions at the top of the table.

With the rivalry between the clubs increasingly fierce, the “Clássico dos Gigantes” promises to be one of the most tense and important games of this final stretch of the Brasileirão.

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