Ex-Vasco boss sees parallels in current run and 2017 Libertadores push

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Papo na Colina

·31 de outubro de 2025

Ex-Vasco boss sees parallels in current run and 2017 Libertadores push

Responsible for leading Vasco in their last qualification for the Copa Libertadores in 2017, coach Zé Ricardo drew a parallel between the team's surge that season and the current good moment under the command of Fernando Diniz. The former coach believes there are similarities between the two periods, especially in the positive atmosphere surrounding the club and the unity of the squad.

“The main parallel is seeing the fans very enthusiastic, a very cohesive team, just like our team was very cohesive back then, with important players, a mix of experienced athletes, new players, and many of them coming from the youth academy. So there are these similarities, and we are rooting for Vasco to also reach the final stretch and the final this year, as we did in 2017,” stated Zé Ricardo in an interview with Bolavip Brasil.

+ Vasco player is upset with Diniz and asks for more minutes

Vídeos OneFootball

Photo: Rafael Ribeiro/Vasco.

In that campaign, Vasco started the Brasileirão as underdogs but rallied in the final part and finished the competition in 7th place, securing a spot in the preliminary phase of the 2018 Libertadores.

Admiring Diniz's work, Zé highlighted the particular style of the current Vasco coach and acknowledged the evolution of football in recent years:

“They are different styles, different moments in football. Football has been evolving a lot, especially in terms of intensity and game dynamics. I see that our 2017 team liked to have ball possession, and I think that might be a certain similarity. Diniz has a unique style in Brazilian football, but as his friend and fan, I am hopeful that he can achieve a final stretch as important and glorious as that one,” he concluded.

+ With new developments, check out the probable lineup of Vasco against São Paulo

Photo: Paulo Fernandes/Vasco. / Lance!

Living their best moment in the Brasileirão, Vasco has four consecutive victories and occupies the eighth position with 42 points. The team returns to the field this Sunday (2) at 8:30 PM (Brasília time) at São Januário, against São Paulo, for the 31st round of Série A.

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