Grêmio Routs 15 de Novembro

Grêmio won its 2007 home opener in spectacular fashion, routing 15 de Novembro 4-0 at Olímpico Stadium. Grêmio (6 pts), who has yet to allow a goal this season, moved into first place in Group 2 of the Gaúcho State Championship, beating out Caxias (6 pts) on goal differential. 15 de Novembro (1 pt) fell into 7th place. The Tricolor will now face 3rd place São Luiz (3 pts) in Cidreira on Saturday.

In sharp contrast to what the final outcome would be, it was 15 de Novembro that looked the better team at the start. The visitors constantly harassed the Grêmio area but were unable to transform its initiative into goals. For the Tricolor, it was promoted junior Carlos Eduardo that provided most of the offense. The forward gave the 15 defense fits all day with his speed and skillful passing.

It was through his efforts that Grêmio finally broke the deadlock. In the 30th minute, Carlos Eduardo broke free towards the goal and was taken down just outside the area. Tcheco took the free kick and Tuta outleaped the defenders to head in his second goal in as many games: Grêmio, 1-0.

After a closely contested first half, it was all Grêmio in the second. The Tricolor dominated 15 de Novembro, besieging the visitor’s goal area. But control did not result in goals, so Mano Menezes pulled Ramón in favor of Everton. The move paid dividends in the 21st when Patrício found the young striker breaking into the area: Grêmio, 2-0. Following the goal, 15 lost its composure and Bebeto, who had just entered the game, was sent off for a hard tackle on William. Fourteen minutes later, Cadu joined his teammate in the showers, leaving 15 with only nine men.

With the numerical advantage, the Tricolor found it easy to add to the score. In the 43rd, Cláudio deflected the ball with his hand inside the area. Tcheco easily converted the penalty, giving Grêmio a 3-0 edge. The Tricolor captain got another in the 47th when Angonense defended a Tuta shot. Tcheco was in position for the rebound and determined the final score: Grêmio, 4-0.

After a meager showing against São José-PA, Grêmio looked like a Libertadores Cup team. Granted, it was only 15 de Novembro, but a team that hopes to compete for a continental championship must put away weaker opposition. The Tricolor should get even better as several starters, like Jucemar and Léo Lima, have yet to play. Left wingback Jucemar and Argentine goalpkeeper Saja should make their first starts Saturday.

Grêmio (4)	15 de Novembro (0)
Tuta (30') Everton (66') Tcheco (88' PK) Tcheco (92+')
Patrício (44') Edmilson (50')	André Xu (16') Cadu (20') Bebeto (61') Cadu (75') Glauber (81') Cláudio Elias (88')
Venue:  Olímpico Stadium, Porto Alegre (RS)
Grêmio: Galatto; Patrício, Schiavi, William and Bruno Teles; Edmilson (Sandro, 79'), Diego Souza, Tcheco and Ramón (Everton, 64'); Carlos Eduardo (Aloísio, 83') and Tuta. Coach: Mano Menezes	15 de Novembro: Márcio; Cadu, Renato, Cláudio and Índio (Nem, 79'); Glauber, Márcio Hahn, Bruno and André Xu (Marcelo Souza, 69'); Everton Severo and Kempes (Bebeto, 59'). Coach: Guto Ferreira