Tolima Hands Grêmio First Loss of Season
Colombian Jinx Continues as Tricolor Drops into Second Place

With first place on the line, Grêmio lost, 1-0, to Deportes Tolima in a Libertadores Cup match in Ibagué as the Tricolor’s Colombian woes continued. Grêmio has never won on Colombian soil and is now 0-2-3 in its last five games against Colombian teams. The Tricolor’s last victory came in 1996, a 1-0 decision over América de Cali at Olímipico Stadium. Grêmio (4 pts) now trails Tolima (7 pts) in Group 3 and is only one point ahead of third-place Cúcuta (3 pts). Grêmio and Tolima will face off again on March 27th, this time in Porto Alegre.

For all its success in the Gaúcho League, Grêmio is quickly learning that the Libertadores Cup is a different animal. Just like in the game against Cúcuta, the Tricolor had difficulty adjusting to a tenacious Colombian defense. Grêmio’s offense was nonexistent as the Tricolor did not manage a single shot on goal in the first half. Tolima’s offense was not much better, but it did make good on its one opportunity. In the 34th, Charria broke away on the left side and took a shot at the corner of the goal. Saja defended, but the ball rebounded to the middle of the area right to Perlaza, who blasted it into an open net: Tolima, 1-0. It was the first time Grêmio had trailed all season.

At halftime, Mano Menezes pulled Diego Souza in favor of Carlos Eduardo to make the team more offensive. Grêmio tried to attack but its plays lacked any focus. The Gaúchos erred many passes and would go down after the slightest contact. Tolima had a couple of chances to turn the game into a blowout but were denied by an inspired Saja. Grêmio did have one last opportunity to tie the game in the 45th when they were awarded a free kick at the top of the area. But Lúcio shot right into the player wall, causing Menezes to go ballistic on the sideline. After 3 ½ months of invincibility, Grêmio’s 13-game unbeaten streak had come to an end.

Grêmio now has to do some serious soul searching. Yes this was just their first defeat of the year, but it came in the Libertadores Cup where the Tricolor has yet to live up to expectations. While Grêmio is averaging almost three goals per game in the Gaúcho State Championship, they have managed only one in three Libertadores Cup matches. They are very fortunate to be in second place as they are a Saja-defended penalty kick against Cerro Porteño from being in last. Grêmio prides itself on its Libertadores Cup heritage. If it wants to add to that heritage, then the team needs to step it up. Otherwise, they may not make it out of the Group Stage.

Deportes Tolima (1)	Grêmio (0)
Perlaza (34')
Patiño (42') Julio (84')	William (70')
Venue:  Manuel Murillo Toro Stadium, Ibagué (COL)
Deportes Tolima: Julio; Vallejo, Cambindo, Cuenú and Sinisterra; Escobar, Anchico, Patiño and Charria (González, 87'); Quintero (Rolong, 81') and Perlaza (Savoia, 85'). Coach: Jaime de la Pava	Grêmio: Saja; Patrício, Schiavi, William and Lúcio; Nunes, Lucas, Diego Souza (Carlos Eduardo, HT), Tcheco and Ramón (Aloísio, 82'); Éverton. Coach: Mano Menezes