Why Vasco are struggling: key reasons behind their poor run | OneFootball

Despite qualifying for the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil, Vasco is still struggling to get into gear in the Brazilian Championship. Since the arrival of Fernando Diniz, the team has shown improvement in performance, but the results have not followed, and the team remains close to the relegation zone.

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Vasco x Ceará Fernando Diniz — Photo: André Durão

In the first eight rounds, Vasco had only seven points (29% performance). With Diniz, they won 16 out of 42 possible (38%). The performance has improved, but it is still insufficient to ward off the risk, as the club is only one point above the 17th place.

Despite more consistent performances, the numbers explain the unstable phase. See the main factors:

1. Low performance at São Januário

A traditional strong point for Vasco, São Januário has become a headache in 2025. The club completes 123 days without winning at home in the Brasileirão, the second longest drought in the points race era. Since the 3-0 win over Fortaleza in May, there have been five games without a win: losses to Bragantino and Corinthians and draws with Grêmio, Atlético-MG, and Ceará.

2. Wasted chances

The team has been producing, but fails when it comes to finishing. Against Bragantino, there were 20 shots, only three on target. Against Grêmio, 28 shots against six from the opponent, but a draw on the scoreboard. A similar situation happened against Internacional, when Vasco took the lead, wasted clear chances, and conceded a draw after Léo Jardim's expulsion.

3. Vulnerable defense

The defensive system continues to be a problem. In 14 Brasileirão games under Diniz's command, Vasco conceded 22 goals (average of 1.57 per game), a rate higher than the last two years: 1.34 in 2023 and 1.47 in 2024.

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Corinthians celebrates goal in match against Vasco at São Januário for the Brazilian Championship — Photo: Alexandre Durão

4. Individual errors

According to a survey by Gato Mestre, Vasco leads the ranking of individual errors that resulted in goals in the championship: nine so far. Just against Ceará last Sunday, mistakes by Paulo Henrique and Mateus Carvalho cost the victory. A similar situation had already occurred against Mirassol and Internacional, in games that together meant seven wasted points.

5. Constant absences

Injuries and changes in the squad also harm. Diniz lost Adson and Jair for the rest of the season. Lucas Piton and Tchê Tchê, absolute starters, are in the medical department. In addition, João Victor and Luiz Gustavo left the club in the last window, forcing the coach to improvise Hugo Moura in defense for over a month, until the arrivals of Carlos Cuesta and Robert Renan.

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