Vasco star at peak fitness, leads in chances, eyes historic record | OneFootball

Philippe Coutinho has returned to being a protagonist — at least in the playmaking for Vasco. According to data from R10 Score, the number 10 is the leader in chances created in the Brasileirão 2025, with 54 opportunities generated for his teammates. This performance reaffirms the midfielder's good physical form, marking his most consistent streak since returning to São Januário.

Coutinho's current form contrasts with his quiet start in 2024, when he was still seeking rhythm after injuries. Today, the player has accumulated 22 consecutive matches on the field, without interruptions since July — the month he suffered his last injury, in his left calf. With this, he is just five games away from matching his best participation record in a season, set in 2018/2019 with Barcelona.

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Photo: Matheus Lima / Vasco

Even without much shine in goal and assist statistics — just one goal and one assist in the last ten games —, the midfielder continues to have full support from Fernando Diniz. The coach praised the player's consistency and downplayed the cold reading of the numbers.

“Coutinho has been playing well consistently. Sometimes, he provides the pre-assist, which doesn't appear in the statistics but is crucial. He is evolving in every way. Against Fluminense, for example, he played a brilliant match even without scoring or assisting,” said Diniz.

The coach considers the number 10 essential for the team's balance and believes that the offensive protagonism should return naturally. “Coutinho pulled the team up all the time. The body is responding, and that is the most important thing,” he added.

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Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco.

With Vasco still seeking greater efficiency in attack, Coutinho's physical resurgence is good news. Now, the challenge is to transform regularity and consistency into decisions and goals — something Vasco fans expect to see from a player who carries the weight and talent of the number 10 jersey.

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