Grêmio Held by São Paulo, Bids Title Hopes Farewell

Grêmio’s slim title hopes came to an end after the Tricolor Gaúcho was held to a 1-1 draw by São Paulo at a sold out Olímpico Stadium. Needing a victory to cut into the Paulista’s 8 point lead, Grêmio was unable to overcome a 1st-minute goal by Danilo. The result practically clinches the Brazilian title for São Paulo (60 pts) who leads second place Internacional (53 pts) by 7 points with only eight games left to play. Grêmio (52 pts) dropped to fourth and must now content itself with securing a Libertadores Cup berth.

The atmosphere was intense. The stadium was filled an hour and a half before kickoff as more than 50 thousands fans arrived at Olímpico to cheer on their team. This matchup, the first between No. 1 and No. 2 during the season, was highly anticipated not only by the participants, but by the whole nation. Only a Grêmio victory would keep São Paulo from placing one hand on the trophy.

Grêmio got the ball first, a play that ended in a Rômulo offsides. São Paulo responded with a play down the middle. Danilo received a pass on the left side and, completely unmarked, sent a bomb into the net. Just 50 seconds had passed and it was already São Paulo, 1-0. Not the way Grêmio had hoped to start the game.

The goal was a shock, but Grêmio did not let it rattle them. The Tricolor Gaúcho pressured the nation’s No. 1 team and created numerous scoring chances. Rogério Ceni made 11 saves in the first half, compared to only three for Galatto. Lucas,in the 8th, and Tcheco and Rômulo, in the 47th, produced Grêmio’s best scoring chances.

Grêmio returned for the second half determined to pull out the win. In the 4th, Tcheco crossed from the right side into Hugo, who beat Ceni for the equalizer: 1-1. The stadium erupted in jubilation. With the score now tied, both teams went all out for the win. In the 20th, Aloísio caught Galatto out of position and almost netted a second for São Paulo. The Grêmio keeper later redeemed himself for that error by intercepting a cross by Thiago into the small area to a wide-open Lenílson. Grêmio responded in the 32nd when Tcheco lofted the ball into the area, but Lucas’ header was deflected by Ceni. The Tricolor created many more scoring chances, but they always ended in the hands of São Paulo’s star goalkeeper. Grêmio’s final chance came in the last minute of the game with a shot by Hugo that, fittingly, was defended by Ceni.

With the tie, Grêmio can bid adieu to the Brazilian title. With only eight games remaining, São Paulo’s lead is insurmountable. However, not all is lost. Grêmio is still very much in the hunt for a Libertadores Cup berth, something that seemed unattainable at the start of the season. The goal now will be to clinch a direct berth in the group stage of the competition and avoid the preliminary round. To do that, Grêmio must continue to win and finish ahead of third-place Santos (52 pts). That quest begins on Thursday when the Tricolor visits Maracanã to take on 16th-place Fluminense (35 pts).

Grêmio (1)	São Paulo (1)
Hugo (49')	Danilo (1')
Lucas (14') Rômulo (78')	Júnior (42') Aloísio (89')
Venue:  Olímpico Stadium, Porto Alegre (RS)
Grêmio: Galatto; Alessandro, Evaldo, Maidana and Wellington (Aloísio, 72'); Sandro, Lucas, Tcheco (Escalona, 82'), and Rafinha (Paulo Ramos, 78'); Rômulo and Hugo. Coach: Mano Menezes	São Paulo: Rogério Ceni; André Dias, Fabão, Miranda and Júnior (Thiago, 75'); Josué, Mineiro, Danilo and Souza; Aloísio and Leandro Azevedo (Lenílson, 55'). Coach: Muricy Ramalho