Grêmio Downs Atlético-PR, Has One Foot in Libertadores Cup

Old jinxes keep coming down with Mano Menezes at the helm. First, he led the Tricolor to its first ever victory over Palmeiras in São Paulo. Now, for the first time ever, Grêmio has won at the Arena da Baixada, beating Atlético-PR 3-2. The result leaves Grêmio (61 pts) in third place and just 2 points shy of clinching a Libertadores Cup berth. That could happen as early as this Saturday when the Tricolor hosts last-place and already relegated Santa Cruz (28 pts). Atlético-PR (46 pts), who remained in 13th place, will face São Paulo (73 pts) and try to keep the Paulistas from clinching the title this weekend.

The fans had hardly settled into their seats when Grêmio struck the first blow at the Arena. In the 4th minute, Rômulo beat his cover man and sent the ball barreling into the net: Grêmio, 1-0. It was his first goal in five games and brought his team-leading total to 10.

Following the score, Grêmio relaxed on offense, allowing Atlético-PR to build some rhythm. The Furação struck back when Marcelo Silva headed Dagoberto’s free kick past Galatto in the 29th: 1-1. Despite animating the crowd, the goal did not translate into momentum for the home team as Grêmio dominated the remainder of the half. But the Tricolor was unable to finish its offensive investments and the score remained deadlocked at the break.

Reminiscent of the first half, Grêmio also struck early in the second. In the 7th, Hugo headed a corner into the area where Maidana was positioned to take advantage: Grêmio, 2-1. And again, just like after its first goal, Grêmio relaxed and allowed Atlético-PR back in the game. In the 29th, following a series of crosses into the Grêmio area, Lucas was called for a handball and a penalty was awarded. Dagoberto converted, knotting the game at 2-2. Grêmio retook the lead for good in the 37th when Ramón, who came into the game in the second half, received a cross from Alessandro and drilled his shot home: Grêmio, 3-2. Atlético-PR tried to respond for a third time but was unable to muster another serious threat.

Atlético-PR (2)	Grêmio (3)
Marcelo Silva (29') Dagoberto (74' PK)	Rômulo (4') Maidana (52') Ramón (82')
	Lucas (74')
Venue:  Arena da Baixada Stadium, Curitiba (PR)
Atlético-PR: Cléber; Evanílson, Gustavo, Cesar and Ivan; Marcelo Silva, William, Válber (Chico, HT) and Paulo Rink (Evandro, 74'); Dagoberto (Herrera, 75') and Pedro Oldoni. Coach: Oswaldo Alvares (Vadão)	Grêmio: Galatto; Patrício, Maidana, Pereira and Bruno Teles; Jeovânio, Lucas, Tcheco (Sandro Goiano, 84') and Alessandro; Hugo (Ramón, 76') and Rômulo (Herrera, 67'). Coach: Mano Menezes