Missed chances and penalty error: Brenner endures tough start at Vasco | OneFootball

Brenner’s first month at Vasco has turned sour, capped by a saved penalty in the Carioca semi-final against Fluminense and only one goal in eight appearances.

According to Globo.com, the forward was unveiled on 28 January and has since squandered opportunities, drawing boos again at the Maracanã as he headed to the bench.

Robert Renan put Bruno Lazaroni’s side ahead before the break. After the interval Andrés Gómez was felled and referee Wagner do Nascimento Magalhães awarded a penalty. Brenner took responsibility but Fábio saved, and Fluminense soon equalised to reach the final.

Lazaroni said Brenner and Puma were the two selected takers and that the players chose Brenner on the pitch. He defended the striker, adding it might have been Brenner’s best display since arriving.

Brenner had also been jeered in his second outing, against Chapecoense, when five attempts brought no goal and Vasco conceded a late leveller. Staff rated him among the week’s best from the spot in training.

In the quarter-final with Volta Redonda, the Argentine replacement came on for Brenner, levelled the game and took it to penalties, then earned starts against Fluminense in the state competition and Santos in the league. Brenner reclaimed the role on Sunday after the Argentine’s dip.

Signed for five million euros, about R$ 30 million, Brenner arrived at the request of Fernando Diniz, who convinced him to join as Vasco sought a more mobile striker. His ties with Diniz at Fluminense and São Paulo were decisive. He has alternated starts with Spinelli and his only goal so far came against Botafogo in the Carioca.

Vasco return to training on Tuesday. They face Palmeiras on 12 March in round five of the Campeonato Brasileiro at São Januário, a first chance for Brenner to respond.

Source: Globo.com