Renato Gaúcho returns: Vasco aim to end hoodoo v Palmeiras | OneFootball

The clash between Vasco da Gama and Palmeiras gains historical and urgent significance this Thursday (12). At 7:30 PM, on the field of São Januário, the Rio club attempts to put an end to an uncomfortable 11-year taboo without victories against the São Paulo opponent. The game also marks the official return of coach Renato Gaúcho at the helm of the team.

+ Vasco has Renato Gaúcho as the coach with the most victories in Brazil in the decade

Vasco's negative record

The last time Vasco overcame Palmeiras was in the 2015 season, playing at the opponent's home. Since then, the clubs have faced each other several times, mainly in the Brazilian Championship, establishing a clear advantage for São Paulo. Adding up all the recent encounters, the team from Vasco has accumulated 14 consecutive matches without defeating the rival.

At São Januário, the venue for the next duel, the taboo is even greater and older. The last victory for Vasco as the host occurred only in 2012, with a score of 3 to 1, making this negative streak one of the most remembered points whenever the clash approaches.

Opposite phases and the weight of breaking the taboo

The long period of drought is directly explained by the opposing realities experienced by the institutions in recent seasons. While Palmeiras has built one of the most successful phases in its recent history, stacking national titles and Copa Libertadores da América victories, Vasco has plunged into years of strong instability. The Rio team faced relegations, constant administrative changes, and frequent squad overhauls, factors that undermined competitiveness against top-table opponents.

Ending this negative streak against Palmeiras carries enormous symbolic weight for Vasco. The triumph goes beyond the three points, representing a fundamental psychological gain for the group. Defeating one of the strongest squads in the country attests to the team's evolution under the new leadership of Renato Gaúcho and restores the confidence needed for the rest of the season.

Renato Gaúcho begins his work with a great mission – Photo: Divulgação / Vasco da Gama

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