Poor Play Prevents Early Advancement in Brazil Cup

Playing at a level much lower than expected, Grêmio managed only a 2-1 victory over lowly Piauí, in Teresina, in their Brazil Cup opener. The one goal margin was not enough to see Grêmio automatically into the second round, meaning a return game will be played in Porto Alegre. The Tricolor will now concentrate on the Gaúcho State Championship before facing Piauí again on March 8th.

The football that Grêmio displayed on the pitch of Alberto Silva Stadium was absolutely horrendous. Piauí had just fired its coach and, in response, its four best players left the team, meaning Grêmio should have dominated. Instead, the northeastern team neutralized the Tricolor attack, limiting its strikers to one serious scoring opportunity in the first half. Tcheco, usually one Grêmio’s better players, was visibly hampered by the muscle strain that had almost kept him out of the game. Grêmio took the lead only because Piauí’s goalkeeper tried to make a play. In the 38th minute, Marcelo Costa crossed into the area and João Paulo came out of the goal to intercept. The ball was too high for him, landing at the feet of Lucas who blasted it into the net: Grêmio, 1-0. Antônio Carlos almost tied the game with a well-placed injury time free kick that Galatto defended.

Grêmio seemed much more in rhythm at the start of the second half. In the 6th, Lucas found Alessandro deep down the right side. The wingback, in turn, passed to Pedro Júnior for the Tricolor’s second goal: Grêmio, 2-0. Had the result stood, Grêmio would have advanced to the second round without the need to play the return leg.

But it was not to be. The game turned on a pivotal play in the 14th minute when Lucas was taken down after breaking into the area. Tcheco, who had scored goals from the spot twice before, took a weak shot that was easily defended by João Paulo. Following the block, Veloso escaped down the right side and found Joniel, who caught the Grêmio defense in transition in the 15th: Grêmio, 2-1. So instead of 3-0, it was 2-1 and Piauí had all the momentum. Had it not been for Galatto, the Tricolor would not have left Teresina with the victory as Piauí dominated the remainder of the game. Not a good sign for a club hoping to compete for a championship.

Grêmio will now turn its attention to the Gaúcho State Championship. The second round begins on Saturday when the Tricolor takes on Veranópolis.

Piauí (1)	Grêmio (2)
Joniel (60')	Lucas (38') Pedro Júnior (51')
Moura (19') Nenê (38') Ronaldo (57') Laércio (74')	Pedro Júnior (21') Sandro (30')
Venue:  Alberto Silva Stadium, Teresina (PI)
Piauí: João Paulo; Veloso (Gilberto, 70'), Laércio, Haroldo and Cleiton Cearense; Moura, Ronaldo (Mazinho, 57'), Antônio Carlos and Gilberto; Nenê and Joniel (Fred, 84'). Coach: Luís Eduardo	Grêmio: Galatto; Alessandro, Maidana, Evaldo and Bruno Coutinho; Lucas, Sandro, Marcelo Costa and Tcheco; Pedro Júnior (Lipatin, 57') and Herrera (César, 78'). Coach: Mano Menezes