Would the real Diego Souza please stand up (Maurício Val / FOTOCOM.NET)
Diego Souza was the name on everybody’s lips before kick-off and he certainly lived up to expectations; he scored one and helped Vasco to a 2-0 victory against local rivals Botafogo in Rio. Diego Souza was making his debut for Vasco after an unsuccessful spell with Atlético Mineiro. The 25 year old attacking midfielder is something of an enigma; he is clearly a talented player but he often looks lazy an uninterested. He moved to Benfica in Portugal as a 19 year old in 2005 but never settled there and was loaned back to clubs in Brazil (Grêmio and Flamengo). He was later sold to Palmeiras where his good form earned him call-up to the seleção under Dunga in 2009. He left Palmeiras last year, moving to Atlético Mineiro where his form dipped dramatically. Could this this be a new beginning I wonder? Which Diego Souza will we see at Vasco? Striker Eder Luis scored the other goal for Vasco by the way.
Elsewhere in the Rio State Championship this weekend, Flamengo were held 0-0 by the modest Cabofriense and Fluminense continued in crisis after losing 2-0 against Boavista.