Part 4/7:
As we assessed Cruzeiro’s performance under Diniz, troubling statistics became apparent. In 2024, the club achieved just four victories, eight draws, and seven losses over 19 games, equating to a concerning win rate of merely 35%. Fans were left disappointed, especially since the club failed to secure a place in the Libertadores, which was deemed a minimal objective.
Last season’s defeats, including a poor showing in the Copa Sudamericana final against Racing, demonstrated pervasive structural weaknesses within the team. It became increasingly clear that the squad struggles with adapting to Diniz's desired style of play—intense ball recovery and high pressing—which lacked the necessary tactical execution apparent in his former success with Fluminense.