Vasco hail defensive improvement under Pedro Emanuel after two straight clean sheets | OneFootball

Vasco have tightened up under new head coach Pedro Emanuel, recording a second straight clean sheet in Saturday’s Copa do Brasil last-16 first leg against Fluminense. It is the first time that has happened in 2026.

According to Globo.com, the club see a clear defensive uptick since the Portuguese took charge. With a crammed schedule across the Brasileirão, Copa do Brasil and Copa Sudamericana, his short sessions have prioritised positioning, defensive shifts and transition behaviours.

Midfielder Jair said the team feel on an upward curve with a new coach and want to build a run of victories. He valued another shut-out and said they hope to win on Wednesday, adding the club deserves a sequence of wins and to climb the Brasileirão table.

Internally, Emanuel’s message has landed, helped by his habit of publicly backing the squad when asked about reinforcements. By contrast, predecessor Renato Gaúcho’s tenure frayed behind the scenes after he spoke openly in two press conferences about a need for signings and a lack of depth and quality.

Paulo Henrique said the coach is gradually applying his methods, giving players confidence and knowing how to draw the best from them. With only a few days of work and many games, he said the start has been positive and that Emanuel will be important for the team.

Even so, Vasco remain blunt in attack, failing to score in two of the five matches under Emanuel. He has rotated David, Brenner and Spinelli at centre-forward, but a reliable solution up front has yet to emerge.

Source: Globo.com