Grêmio Remains Winless Against São Caetano

After breaking jinxes against Goiás and Palmeiras, Grêmio was unable to continue the trend and remained winless all-time against São Caetano after a 1-1 tie at Olímpico Stadium. The result snapped the Tricolor’s three-game winning streak and dropped the club one spot in the standings into 9th place. Despite the setback, Grêmio (15 pts) will spend the World Cup break inside the South American Cup qualifying zone. São Caetano (11 pts) dropped a spot into 15th place and is just one point out of the relegation zone.

The game began at a wild pace with two goals in the first eight minutes. São Caetano struck first in the 6th when former Grêmio icon Anderson Lima’s perfectly taken corner kick was headed into the upper right corner by Cléber: São Caetano, 1-0. Grêmio responded two minutes later when Herrera received a spectacular pass from Tcheco, shook two defenders, and blasted home with authority: 1-1. In the 17th, he almost scored again when his shot from the same spot went just wide of the mark. In the 26th, Galatto made a huge save on a shot by former Inter star Marabá.

In what is becoming an increasing alarming trend, Grêmio once again had to play the majority of a game with only 10 players. Hugo was sent off in the 29th minute after a foul on Leandro Lima. The penalty was a bit harsh as referee Giulliano Bozzano went straight to the red card, skipping a cautionary yellow entirely. This was the first booking Hugo has received since joining the Tricolor.

The numerical disadvantage forced Grêmio to work even harder to try and penetrate the São Caetano defense. Nevertheless, the Tricolor managed to control the game and, in the final minute of the half, almost scored when Sandro Goiano hit the crossbar on a well-taken free kick.

Grêmio continued its domination in the second half. In the 9th, Wellington took the paint off the left post. Ten minutes later, Lucas stole the ball in midfield and found Herrera near the area. The striker juked two defenders but took a weak shot that facilitated the save by Mauro. São Caetano had a chance in the 33rd when Thiago’s header off of an Anderson Lima corner hit the left post. Unfortunately, playing a man down cost the Tricolor as its players became fatigued and production dropped. The score remained 1-1 and Grêmio will have to wait for another day for its first win against the Azulão.

Although the result was disappointing, Grêmio fans can take solace in the fact that the team is unbeaten in six games and is only four points out of the Libertadores Cup qualifying zone heading into the World Cup. Grêmio will now have a month to rest and recuperate its injured players. The Tricolor won’t take the field again until July 12th when it takes on São Paulo at Morumbi.

Grêmio (1)	São Caetano (1)
Herrera (8')	Cléber (6')
Hugo (29') Tcheco (50') Lucas (62')	Cléber (13') Rafael Muçamba (52')
Venue:  Olímpico Stadium, Porto Alegre (RS)
Grêmio: Galatto; Alessandro, Maidana, William and Wellington; Lucas, Sandro, Tcheco (Rudnei, 91+') and Ramón (Paulo Ramos, 78'); Hugo and Herrera (Pedro Júnior, 72'). Coach: Mano Menezes	São Caetano: Mauro; Neto (Alessandro, HT), Cléber and Thiago; Anderson Lima, Rafael Muçamba, Marabá, Leandro Lima and Claudio; Marcelinho and Fábio Luiz (Fabiano Gadelha, 62'). Coach: Dino Camargo