Reserves Beat Guarani-VA, 1-0

In a rather lackluster game, Grêmio’s reserves beat Guarani-VA, 1-0, at Olímpico Stadium to recover from its first Gaúcho Championship loss. The win maintained Grêmio (37 pts) far in the lead in Group 2, 14 points ahead of second place Caxias (23 pts). With a playoff bye already secured, the Tricolor will likely continue to play with reserve teams for the remainder of the first stage and focus its efforts on the Libertadores Cup.

With its starters resting for Tuesday’s Libertadores Cup showdown with Deportes Tolima, the Tricolor found it difficult to put much pressure on the visitors. The ball hardly ever got to Tuta, who was visibly lacking in form after a one month layoff. With both teams struggling offensively, it was Guarani-VA who had the first chance at goal. In the 13th, Lovatto crossed to Ademar, who shot wide of goal by mere inches. Grêmio responded in the 18th when Jucemar crossed into the area to Tuta. Lovatto, however, cut off the pass and the ball ended up with William Antunes, who blasted it above the crossbar. Guarani-VA actually played better in the first half but ended up with a deficit at the break thanks to a stoppage time goal by Jucemar. In the 46th, Bruno Teles crossed from the left side to the right wingback, who blasted in his first goal of the season: Grêmio, 1-0.

For the second half, Mano Menezes pulled Itaqui and Jhonatan for Douglas and Éverton. But rather than give the offense a boost, the changes resulted in the midfield falling apart. Guarani-VA had little trouble getting the ball into the Grêmio area but was unable to capitalize on its dominion of the game. In the 25th, Rafael’s shot came within inches of tying the score. Later, in the 40th, Galatto took the ball from the feet of Gavião, taking down his opponent in the process. Rather than award a penalty, the referee booked the Guarani player for diving.

Grêmio will now play its biggest game of the year when it hosts Deportes Tolima on Tuesday. The Tricolor needs a win to keep from complicating its chances of advancing in the Libertadores Cup. Grêmio is winless against Colombian teams in its past five meetings, including a 1-0 to Tolima two weeks ago that dropped the Tricolor into second place in Group 3.

Grêmio (1)	Guarani-VA (0)
Jucemar (46+')
Edmílson (75') Éverton (87')	Marcos Rogério (22') Lovatto (36') Ademir (38') Gavião (85')
Venue:  Olímpico Stadium, Porto Alegre (RS)
Grêmio: Galatto; Jucemar (Sandro Goiano, 62'), Pereira, William Thiego and Bruno Teles; Edmílson, Willian Antunes, Gavilán and Itaqui (Douglas, HT); Tuta and Jhonatan (Éverton, 55'). Coach: Mano Menezes	Guarani-VA: Fabiano; Rogério, Lovatto, Ricardo and Cassiano (Rafael, 52'); Ademir (Jeison, 56'), Deivid, Juninho and Luiz Fernando (Jonathan, 63'); Marcos Rogério and Gavião. Coach: Beto Almeida