Vasco stuck in winless run, Pedrinho backs Renato Gaúcho | OneFootball

Vasco is going through its first major spell of turbulence under Renato Gaúcho. After an explosive start that produced an encouraging five-game unbeaten run, the Cruz-Maltino side has seen a sharp drop in performance. The winless streak reached an uncomfortable five straight matches after the bitter comeback defeat to Chile’s Audax Italiano in a South American Cup group-stage clash played at São Januário.

The home defeat exhausted the patience of some fans in the stands, leading to loud boos after the final whistle. The main target of the crowd’s frustration was the coach himself, who did not hide his annoyance at the rapid shift in the Vasco supporters’ mood and chose to respond forcefully during the post-match press conference.

+ Tensions rise as Vasco president confronts players in the locker room

Renato Gaúcho hits back at criticism after unbeaten run ends

The experienced manager used the numbers from his stint in the Brazilian Championship to defend his work and question the fairness of the harsh criticism he has been receiving.

Tactically, Renato has now completed a month in charge while making deep changes to the team’s main structure. He adopted a system centered on three defensive midfielders with the clear objective of bringing more balance to the defense, something that has not yet materialized in practice. The numbers highlight that chronic fragility: the team has conceded 13 goals in just nine matches under him, allowing goals in eight of those games. The positive counterpoint, however, is the notable attacking improvement, with 14 goals scored over the same span.

Vasco board trusts in a quick recovery in the Brasileirão

The coach’s controversial choices in the continental cup have also added to the tense atmosphere. The decision to prioritize the Brasileirão and use an alternative lineup raised many questions, made worse by the fact that the coach will officially be judged by Conmebol for not traveling to face Barracas Central in Argentina.

Despite the enormous outside pressure and distrust on social media, the administrative situation behind the scenes at Vasco remains extremely calm and under control.

President Pedrinho maintains an excellent day-to-day relationship with the coach and understands that this technical inconsistency is perfectly normal, especially given the insane and exhausting schedule of Brazilian football.

In addition to the board’s strong unconditional support, the squad remains fully behind the coaching staff, firmly believing that a turnaround is just around the corner. The team is now focusing all its energy on the decisive match against São Paulo, scheduled for next Saturday.

Vasco players trust Renato Gaúcho – Photo: Alexandre Loureiro/AGIF

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