Grêmio Routs Esportivo, Improves to 4-0

Grêmio continued its impressive start to the Gaúcho State Championship, improving to 4-0 after a 3-0 rout of Esportivo at the Montanha dos Vinhedos. The win put Grêmio (12 pts) in sole possession of first place in Group 2, a half game ahead of idle Caxias (9 pts). The two clubs will face off in Cidreira on Saturday in a matchup of the last two remaining perfect teams.

Esportivo was by far the best team Grêmio has played this season. Pressuring from the beginning, they kept the Tricolor pinned on its side of the field so that it seemed only a matter of time before they’d crack the Grêmio defense. But the momentum shifted dramatically in the 21st minute. On one of Grêmio’s few successful counter-attacks, Carlos Eduardo was taken down inside the area on a play that was certain to result in a score: penalty. Tcheco stepped up and converted, netting his league-leading fourth goal of the season: Grêmio, 1-0. The goal animated Grêmio and disheartened Esportivo. Now playing from behind, the home team pressured even more on offense. This led to openings in the midfield coverageand to Grêmio’s second goal. In the 31st, Ramón found Tuta in between two defenders. The ball was so well placed that he didn’t even need to jump to nail a header: Grêmio, 2-0. Esportivo had a chance to cut into the lead in the 38th, but Saja made a spectacular save.

Both teams played well in the second half, but once again it was Grêmio who found the back of the net. In the 24th Carlos Eduardo, the junior revelation of the season, finally got his first goal at the professional level after dribbling past three defenders: Grêmio, 3-0. With the game decided, the Tricolor worked on the clock while Esportivo tried to prevent the shutout to no avail. In the end, the result was another clean slate for a defense that has yet to allow a goal.

After the team was broken up following the Brazilian Championship, I had major doubts about the quality of this team. But so far, they have not disappointed. Grêmio has been impressive on both sides of the ball. In four games, the Tricolor has scored 11 goals and allowed none. Tuta, who was brought in to replace Rômulo, has already scored three times, and Carlos Eduardo, brought up from the junior varsity, has earned a place in the starting lineup with his spectacular play.

While success in the state championship does not necessarily translate into success at higher levels of competition, it appears that Grêmio may have a team capable at making a run at the Libertadores Cup title. They’ll get their first taste of a quality opponent on February 15th when they visit Cerro Porteño, in Paraguay, to open Libertadores Cup play. I’ll reserve judgment on Grêmio’s chances until after that game. But before then, it’s a showdown for first place in Group 2 this weekend as Grêmio (4-0) hosts Caxias (3-0) in Cidreira.

Esportivo (0)	Grêmio (3)
	Tcheco (21' PK) Tuta (31') Carlos Eduardo (69')
Renan (66')	Diego Souza (7')
Venue:  Montanha dos Vinhedos, Bento Gonçalves (RS)
Esportivo: Donizetti; Maicon (Jardel, 62'), Jonatan, Renato Benatti and Júnior; Caio (Deivis Tiago, 79'), Jeferson, Leandro Nunes and Renan; Zé Alcino (Maikel, 76') and Ânderson Catatau. Coach: Beto Almeida	Grêmio: Saja; Patrício, William, Schiavi (Teco, 62') and Bruno Teles; Edmilson, Diego Souza, Tcheco (Sandro Goiano, 71') and Ramón; Carlos Eduardo (Léo Lima, 73') and Tuta. Coach: Mano Menezes