Grêmio Knocks Off Caxias, Remains Perfect

Grêmio solidified its hold on first place in Group 2 of the Gaúcho State Championship after knocking off fellow unbeatens Caxias 2-0 at Municipal Stadium, in Cidreira. With the win, the Tricolor remained perfect on the season, improving to 5-0 and posting its fifth straight shutout. With a 6-point lead in Group 2, Grêmio (15 pts) will likely field a reserve team next weekend against Guarani-VA as it looks to its Libertadores Cup opener. Caxias (9 pts) will look to recover from its first loss when it hosts São José-PA on Wednesday.

Although both teams came into the game with perfect records (Caxias was 3-0), Grêmio was far superior. Carlos Eduardo ran circles around the Caxias defense. It wasn’t until the 20th minute that Caxias finally began holding its own. Ironically, it was then that Grêmio struck. In the 33rd, Diego Silva headed a corner kick right at the keeper, who was unable to hang onto the ball. Tuta, ever the opportunist, guided the rebound into the net: Grêmio, 1-0. Six minutes later, Tuta broke passed his defenders, dribbled the keeper and netted his league-leading fifth goal: Grêmio, 2-0.

Grêmio took its foot off the accelerator in the second half. It served merely to get playing time for Léo Lima, coming from a four-month layoff, and Douglas, making his first appearance for the Tricolor. Caxias did make things interesting in the final 15 minutes, hitting the crossbar twice during that span. But Grêmio’s defense held on and has yet to concede a goal this season.

Grêmio has a bye for the midweek round, returning to the field on Sunday against Guarani-VA, in Venâcio Aires. It will be the final game before the Tricolor begins its quest for the Libertadores Cup on February 15th against Cerro Porteño, in Asunción.

Grêmio (2)	Caxias (0)
Tuta (33') Tuta (39')
William (44') Teco (61') Edmílson (65')	Jajá (17') Max (41') Marcio Rozário (49') Max (85')
Venue:  Municipal Stadium, Cidreira (RS)
Grêmio: Saja; Patrício, William, Teco and Bruno Teles; Edmilson, Diego Souza (Sandro Goiano, 71'), Tcheco, Carlos Eduardo and Ramón (Léo Lima, 64'); Tuta (Douglas, 76'). Coach: Mano Menezes	Caxias: Silva; Thiago Machado, Michell, Max and Márcio Rozário; Willian, Jorge Luiz, Eduardo and Fernando (Diógenes, 78'); Jajá and Marcelo Carioca (Givaldo, 77'). Coach: Paulo Porto