Caxias Shocks Grêmio 3-0 in Rematch of 2000 Finals

When Inter failed to qualify for the playoffs, it appeared that nothing would stand between Grêmio and a second consecutive Gaúcho State title. But in a game eerily reminiscent of the 2000 finals, Caxias shocked top-seeded Grêmio 3-0 at Centenário Stadium to take a huge edge into the second leg of their semifinal series. Caxias, who finished 16 points back in Group 1, upset Ulbra in the Wildcard Round and is now 90 minutes away from its first finals berth since 2000, when it won its only title. Grêmio, who cruised through the first stage by crushing opponent after opponent en route to the league’s best record, now needs a miracle to save their season. Only a victory by at least four goals at Olímpico on Friday will suffice. A 3-0 win would send the series to a penalty kick tiebreaker. Any other result will see Caxias through to the finals.

The game appeared to be a continuation of Grêmio’s 3-1 loss to Cúcuta four days earlier. The midfield was able to neither feed the offense nor help on defense, and the backfield once again committed critical errors. So with the support of a sold-out Centenário Stadium, it did not take long for Caxias to cash in on Tricolor mistakes. In the 3rd minute, Grêmio’s defense failed to clear a corner kick, allowing an open Juninho to head the ball in from the far post: Caxias, 1-0. Trailing, Grêmio found it necessary to go on the offensive, but in the process left gaping holes in their defense. In the 10th, Juninho almost cashed in another score when his shot sailed just wide of the goal. In the 21st, it was Jajá who made the Grêmio defense look like amateurs before wasting another golden opportunity. The Tricolor’s first chance came in the 24th, when Schiavi’s header was well defended by Ricardo.

But mistakes once again cost the Tricolor. In the 26th, Saja misjudged an aerial cross, allowing Jajá a shot at an open goal. Schiavi managed to get to the goalline in time to head the ball back to his adversary, who in turn headed it back towards the goal. Schiavi once again cleared the ball, this time to Heverton who put an end to the ping pong match: Caxias, 2-0.

Grêmio returned for the second half with the objective of scoring at least one goal to make their lives easier for the return leg. But with Lucas and Tcheco once again struggling, Tuta never got a chance to work his magic, and once again the defense made a critical error. In the 21st, William got beat badly by Juninho and was forced to commit a penalty. Thiago Machado converted, giving Caxias a shocking 3-0 lead. Grêmio was lucky to leave Centenário with only a three-goal deficit as Caxias missed several opportunities to up the score. Regardless, the result gives them a huge edge for the return leg as only a 4-0 victory will see Grêmio through.

Grêmio fans have reveled in Inter’s woes in this season, but now their team is facing the same fate. The next two games will determine whether the season thus far will be a success or a flop. The Tricolor coasted through the Gaúcho League’s first stage, and to falter now would be a huge disappointment, one that could bring the downfall of Mano Menezes. But then again, nothing has ever come easy for the Tricolor. Grêmio has made miracle comebacks in the past – like the Série B final against Náutico in 2005 – and Caxias is not a powerhouse. It is possible for Grêmio to overcome this adversity. The question is, can a team that’s allowed six goals in the past two games pull it together by Friday?

Caxias (3)	Grêmio (0)
Juninho (3') Heverton (26') Thiago (67' PK)
Jajá (12') Ricardo (77')	Lúcio (8') William Magrão (21') Schiavi (57') William (66') Diegou Souza (75') Sandro (85')
Venue:  Centenário Stadium, Caxias do Sul (RS)
Caxias: Ricardo; Thiago Machado, Michel, Heverton and Jonathas; William (Eduardo, 61'), Jorge Luiz, Oliveira and Juninho (Diógenes, 70'); Jajá (Diego Borges, 76') and Hyantony. Coach: Edson Gaúcho	Grêmio: Saja; Patrício, Schiavi, William and Lúcio; William Magrão, Lucas (Diego Souza, 63'), Tcheco (Sandro Goiano, 83') and Ramón (Éverton, 58'); Carlos Eduardo and Tuta. Coach: Mano Menezes