Grêmio Beats Caxias, Clinches Playoff Bye

Like clockwork, Grêmio chalked up another victory in the Gaúcho State Championship. Despite playing without several starters, the Tricolor had no trouble dispatching Caxias 3-1 at Centenário Stadium to remaining unbeaten in the Gaúcho State Championship. With the win, Grêmio (34 pts) has clinched Group 2 and, more importantly, a bye into the semifinals. The Tricolor also has a 9-point lead on Group 1 leader Juventude (25 pts) in the race for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Caxias (17 pts) dropped into 4th place and out of the playoff zone.

With Grêmio resting several starters like Schiavi, William, Lucas and Tcheco, it appeared that Caxias would finally hand the Tricolor its first Gaúcho League loss. In the 13th, William’s shot hit the crossbar after Saja got a hand on it. Less than a minute later, Zé Roberto’s free kick suffered the same fate. But those close calls only served to wake up the sleeping giants. In the 20th, Bruno Teles’ shot grazed the left post. Ten minutes later, Grêmio’s got its first goal with a little help from the Caxias defense. Humberto kicked a goal kick right to Patrício, who then passed to Éverton for an easy score: Grêmio, 1-0.

Edson Gaúcho went to a more offensive formation in the second half, but Caxias’ ineptitude prevented any sort of comeback. Relying on counter-attacks, the Tricolor struck again in the 5th when Patrício sent a free kick into the small area to a wide-open Pereira. The defender had time to trap the ball before blasting it into the net: Grêmio, 2-0.

After two assists, Patrício finally got his in the 17th after Éverton was taken down by the keeper. The team captain easily converted the penalty, putting the game out of reach: Grêmio, 3-0. Caxias won a penalty of its own in the 33rd when Teco fouled Nailson inside the area. Zé Roberto converted to prevent the shutout: Grêmio, 3-1. But that was all Caxias could muster. Grêmio had won yet again, with the only downside being the ejection of Patrício after receiving a second booking in stoppage time.

With nothing left to play for until the playoffs, Grêmio will likely prioritize the Libertadores Cup where the team’s situation is not so cozy. The Tricolor will host Esportivo on Wedneday and Guarani-VA on Saturday before its showdown with Deportes Tolima. Tuta and Douglas, both recovered from injuries, may see action against Guarani-VA to regain their playing form.

Caxias (1)	Grêmio (3)
Zé Roberto (78' PK)	Éverton (30') Pereira (50') Patrício (63' PK)
Zé Roberto (6') Michell (49') Nailton (90')	Pereira (10') Patrício (14') Carlos Eduardo (43') William Magrão (44') Patrício (91+')
Venue:  Centenário Stadium, Caxias do Sul (RS)
Caxias: Humberto; Thiago Machado, Max (Naílton, 52'), Michell and Jonathas (Márcio Rozário, HT); Diego Borges, William, Jorge Luiz (Jajá, HT) and Zé Roberto; Lima and Alê Menezes. Coach: Edson Gaúcho	Grêmio: Saja; Patrício, Pereira, Teco and Bruno Teles; Nunes, Diego Souza, William Magrão, Ramon (Sandro, 83') and Carlos Eduardo (Itaqui, 76'); Éverton (Aloísio, 88'). Coach: Mano Menezes