Grêmio Routs Guarani-VA in Venâcio Aires
Tricolor Remains Perfect and Unscored Upon after 4-0 Win

Guarani-VA was hoping to catch Grêmio looking ahead to its Libertadores Cup opener against Cerro Porteño to pull off the upset. No such luck. Grêmio did to Guarani what it has been doing to opponents all season: dominate. The Tricolor won in another rout, 4-0, to improve to 6-0-0. Grêmio (18 pts), who leads Group 2 of the Gaúcho State Championship by a comfortable 8-point margin, boasts the league’s best offense and defense. In six games, Grêmio has scored 17 goals and allowed none.

The first half started even, with Guarani-VA able to contain Grêmio’s potent offense. But soon the Tricolor’s superior talent began to take over. In the 21st minute, Tcheco sent a perfectly placed free kick into the area and to the head of a leaping Schiavi: Grêmio, 1-0. The Tricolor doubled its lead in the 29th when Fabiano defended Tcheco’s shot but was unable to hold onto the ball. The rebound went to Ramón, who put it away: Grêmio, 2-0.

With a commanding lead in hand, Grêmio relaxed its efforts slightly in the second half. Even so, Grêmio was able to dominate hapless Guarani-VA. Saja was hardly tested while Grêmio made Fabiano earn his pay. In the 25th, Tcheco grabbed the rebound off a Tuta shot and sent the ball into the net: Grêmio, 3-0. Everton, who came into the game late in the second half, completed the scoring in the 40th after receiving a perfect pass from Sandro. Final score: Grêmio, 4-0.

With the Group 2 lead comfortably in its grasp, it is time to leave the state championship behind. Thursday, at Pablo Rojas Stadium, in Asunción, Grêmio will begin its quest for its third Libertadores Cup title. The opponent will be Paraguayan runner-up Cerro Porteño, a club with much international experience. No more beating up on hapless Gaúcho squads. This game will be a measuring stick for just how good the Tricolor is. Is Grêmio really as good as its record, or is its success merely the result of weak competition? We’ll find out on Thursday.

Guarani-VA (0)	Grêmio (4)
	Schiavi (21') Ramón (29') Tcheco (70') Everton (85')
Ademir (11') Ricardo (20') Joel Cavalo (46+') Alex Bach (56') Paulo Roberto (90')	Lucas (24') Schiavi (32') Bruno Teles (52') Teco (66')
Venue:  Edmundo Feix Stadium, Venâncio Aires (RS)
Guarani-VA: Fabiano; Paulo Roberto, Ricardo, Alex Bach; Rogério, Lovatto (Danilo, int), Ademir, Botelho, Joel Cavalo (Wagner Fardo, int); Geison (Everton, 21'/2°t) and Gavião. Coach: Bagé	Grêmio: Saja; Patrício (Jucemar, 82'), Schiavi, Teco and Bruno Teles; Lucas, Diego Souza, Tcheco (Sandro Goiano, 77') and Ramón (Everton, 77'); Carlos Eduardo and Tuta. Coach: Mano Menezes