Vasco fans protest against Diniz after Bahia defeat at São Januário | OneFootball

Vasco was defeated by Bahia by 1 to 0 on Wednesday night (11), at São Januário, in the third round of the 2026 Brazilian Championship. After the final whistle, Cruz-Maltino fans took to social media to criticize coach Fernando Diniz, who was pointed out as the main responsible for the negative result.

The goal of the match was scored in the first half. In a set-piece play after a corner kick, Luciano Juba hit a beautiful shot to secure the victory for the Tricolor from Bahia at the Historic Hill.

Even with greater ball possession and pressure in the final stage, Vasco could not turn volume into effectiveness and left the field to boos.

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Fernando Diniz in Vasco vs Bahia (Photo: Affonso Andrade/Agência F8/Gazeta Press)

Vasco fans demand changes and question Diniz's work

On social media, Fernando Diniz's name was among the most talked-about topics among Vasco fans. Part of the fans criticized the tactical choices, substitutions, and the team's difficulty in converting ball possession into clear goal chances.

The main complaint revolves around the lack of offensive efficiency and the repetition of defensive errors. With only one point accumulated in the first three rounds of the Brasileirão — a defeat to Mirassol, a draw with Chapecoense, and now the setback against Bahia — the pressure on the coaching staff increases.

The irregular performance at the start of the competition raises an alert in São Januário, especially due to the expectations surrounding Diniz's work and the squad's overhaul for 2026.

Vasco has only 12.1% success rate in the last 11 Brasileirão games

The phase of Cruz-Maltino in the Brazilian Championship is concerning. Considering the last 11 games in the competition, Vasco has only one win, one draw, and nine losses, with a 12.1% success rate.

The numbers highlight the team's difficulty in reacting in the national tournament and help explain the increased pressure on Fernando Diniz and the squad. The below-expected performance is not limited to the results but also to the lack of defensive consistency and low offensive efficiency.

With only one point accumulated in the first three rounds of the 2026 Brasileirão — a defeat to Mirassol, a draw with Chapecoense, and now the setback against Bahia — the alert is on in São Januário.

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Coutinho in action in Vasco's game against Bahia at São Januário for the Brasileirão (Photo: Thiago Ribeiro/AGIF/GazetaPress)

How Vasco vs Bahia went

The match started balanced, with alternating control of the actions. At times, Vasco advanced the marking and pressured the opponent's ball exit; at others, it was Bahia who managed to impose rhythm and quick circulation in the attack.

Vasco's best opportunity came with the score still tied. Thiago Mendes found a great pass to Brenner, who sprinted and was brought down by Kanu near the area. In the free-kick, Philippe Coutinho shot firmly to the corner, and goalkeeper Ronaldo deflected it. On the rebound, Brenner finished poorly and wasted the chance.

Shortly after, Bahia opened the scoring in a set-piece corner play, precisely finished by Luciano Juba.

In the second half, Vasco increased ball possession and tried to pressure, mainly with attacks down the flanks and crosses into the area. However, there was a lack of aggressiveness in the final third and efficiency in the finishes. Bahia adopted a reactive stance, exploiting counterattacks and managing the advantage.

As in the end of the first half, the final whistle was accompanied by demands from the Cruz-Maltino fans, mainly directed at coach Fernando Diniz, reflecting dissatisfaction with the team's performance at the start of the Brasileirão.

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