The curious life of Fernando Diniz, who has been directing both the Brazilian National Team and Fluminense since July, probably experienced its most striking chapter this week. On Tuesday night, the 49-year-old tactician was on the Canarinha bench during their 1-0 loss to Argentina. The next day, he returned to the Maracanã, but wearing the Tricolor clothing.
Unlike the Qualifying match, Diniz was able to smile upon his return to his club: with a goal from Germán Cano, the local team won 1-0 against San Pablo, in a pending match for date 32 of the Brasileirão. With this result, his team is eighth in the table with 50 points in 34 matches.
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Fluminense celebrates winning the Copa Libertadores
While the coach is resisted in much of the country by the present of the Seleção, the Fluminense fans could not be more grateful to Diniz for achieving the first Copa Libertadores in the club’s history. On Wednesday night, the fans celebrated winning the long-awaited title in their first home game since the final against Boca Juniors.
Flu had already played the classic against Flamengo at the Maracanã, but that day it was Mengão who acted as host. Therefore, this time they were able to celebrate accordingly: there was a pre-match show, a standing ovation for their players and the display of the trophy in front of the stands.
Diniz may be questioned as Brazil’s driver, but his work at the Rio club does not receive any criticism. It makes sense, since he was the architect of a historic achievement for the institution.
