Reserves Lose to Brasil-Pe

Unable to withstand the hostile atmosphere at Bento Freitas Stadium, Grêmio’s reserves succumbed, 1-0, to Brasil-Pe in the Gaúcho State Championship. It was Grêmio’s second loss of the competition but a meaningless result as the Tricolor (37 pts) had already clinched Group 2 three rounds ago. The game meant a lot more to Brasil-Pe who, with the win, moved into 5th place (18 pts) and guaranteed itself in the Gaúcho League’s first division. Grêmio closes out the first stage on Wednesday against São José-CS.

The game had hardly begun when Brasil-Pe moved ahead on the scoreboard. In the 5th minute, Gavilán attempted to clear a corner kick by Cláudio Milar. The ball, however, hit Edmílson on the chest and landed in the back of the net: Brasil-Pe, 1-0. Facing an early deficit, Grêmio went on the offensive in search of a tying goal. But with only two starters (Tuta and Edmílson) on the field, it appeared that the Tricolor might play for days without scoring on Rodrigo Silva. Grêmio’s only chance of the first half came in the 28th when Éverton received a cross from Gavilán but shot wide from point blank range of the goal. Brasil-Pe responded in the 29th and 32nd when Maycon missed two golden opportunities to ice the game.

Brasil-Pe came out for the second half looking only to defend its lead. Grêmio tried to find a rhythm on offense, but their innumerous bad passes and poor crosses made Brasil-Pe’s job easy. Mano Menezes tried to breathe life into his team by putting in Douglas and Itaqui in place of Éverton and Edmílson. But on his first pass, Douglas’ cleats got caught in the shoddy turf and he twisted his ankle. Unable to stand on his own, he had to leave the game and was replaced by Aloísio.

Things got very heated in the 31st. Pereira elbowed Alex Martins in an attempt to gain position in the area for a free kick. The line judge witnessed the foul and advised referee Carlos Simon, who ejected the defender. Brasil-Pe’s conditioning coach was also sent off for hysterics on the sideline. He refused to leave, however, resulting in a stoppage of play until the Military Brigade escorted him off the field. The game finally got back underway but, with one man down, Grêmio never seriously threatened again.

Grêmio will close out the first stage on Wednesday against São José-CS. Mano Menezes may use the game as a tuneup for the Tricolor’s Libertadores Cup showdown with Cúcuta the following week.

Brasil-Pe (1)	Grêmio (0)
Edmílson (5' OG)
Gláuber (44') Batata (84')	Tuta (25') Pereira (76')
Venue:  Bento Freitas Stadium, Pelotas (RS)
Brasil-Pe: Rodrigo Silva; Júlio, Régis and Alex Martins; Evaldo, Marcos Basílio, Gláuber (Scharles, 89'), Batata and Maycon; Cláudio Milar and Reinaldo (Fernando Mello, HT). Coach: Suca	Grêmio: Marcelo Grohe; Gavilán, Thiego, Pereira and Bruno Teles; Edmílson (Itaqui, 59'), Sandro, Éverton (Douglas, 59'; Aloísio 67') and Diego Souza; Tuta and William Antunes. Coach: Mano Menezes