Grêmio Falls to São Paulo at Morumbi

Grêmio was unable to withstand the pressure at Morumbi Stadium and lost, 1-0, to São Paulo in the first leg of their Libertadores Cup playoff series. The result gives the Tricolor Paulista the advantage for the return leg in Porto Alegre next Wednesday. As long as they score, São Paulo can lose by a one-goal margin because of the away goals tiebreaker. Grêmio must beat the Paulistas by at least two scores in order to advance. A 1-0 Gaúcho victory would send the tie to penalty kicks.

Despite talk all week of starting Amoroso in place of Carlos Eduardo, Mano Menezes chose to stick with the hero of Sunday’s game against Juventude. Likewise, Muricy Ramalho stuck with Leandro while Dagoberto stayed on the bench.

The first half belonged to Grêmio. Well organized, the Tricolor Gaúcho held São Paulo’s offense in check while striking quickly on counter-attacks. In the 16th, Diego Souza beat two defenders on the left side and forced Rogério Ceni into a spectacular save. Despite controlling the game, Grêmio was unable to turn its superiority into goals. Diego Souza had another chance in the 26th and Lúcio had one in the 40th, but neither was able to cash in. São Paulo’s lone opportunity of the half came in the 43rd when Aloísio’s header from inside the small area sailed over the crossbar.

Fortunes reversed in the second half. During the break, Muricy pulled Leandro in favor of Dagoberto. Working against a slower Patrício, the agile Paulista added a new dimension to the São Paulo attack. In the 12th, Souza sent a corner kick all the way across the area to Dagoberto, who then rolled the ball to Miranda in the small area. The defender tapped the ball into the left corner of the goal, giving Saja no chance at the save: São Paulo, 1-0. Grêmio was lucky not to concede another five minutes later when Souza’s free kick hit the post. In the 24th, he broke free into the area with only Saja to beat. Somehow, the Argentine was able to stretch out and make the save.

With his offense completely ineffective, Mano Menezes finally put in Amoroso in the 21st. The former São Paulo forward had his chance in the 39th but shot directly at a defender. São Paulo had a few more chances, mainly on free kicks, but were unable to convert. Nevertheless, they held serve but not allowing Grêmio the all important away goal.

After the game, Mano Menezes stated the “Grêmio is still alive” down 1-0. While technically true, realistically this series is over. With four goals scored in seven games, Grêmio has the worst offense of the Libertadores Cup. Even at home, the Tricolor Gaúcho has not managed more than one score per game. If Grêmio holds to form, the best they can hope for is a 1-0 win to force a penalty kick shootout that, with Rogério Ceni at goalkeeper, is a sure win for São Paulo. Grêmio must win in regulation, and to do that, they must score at least twice and shut out the Paulistas. Not an easy task to say the least. Additionally, history is not on their side. São Paulo has never lost a best-of-two Libertadores Cup playoff series in which they won the first leg.

But first, Grêmio will turn its attentions to Juventude and the Gaúcho State Championship finale on Sunday. Grêmio needs only a tie of 2-2 or less to win its second consecutive state title.

São Paulo (1)	Grêmio (0)
Miranda (57')
Leandro (11') Aloisio (30') Hugo (32') Josue (79') Jadilson (89')	William (34') Tuta (55') Tcheco (61') Gavilan (72')
Venue:  Morumbi Stadium, São Paulo (SP)
São Paulo: Rogério Ceni; Ilsinho (André Dias, 86'), Alex Silva, Miranda and Jadílson; Josué, Richarlyson, Souza and Hugo; Leandro (Dagoberto, HT) and Aloísio (Marcel, 86'). Coach: Muricy Ramalho	Grêmio: Saja; Patrício, William, Teco and Lúcio; Edmílson, Sandro Goiano (Gavilán, 57'), Diego Souza and Tcheco; Carlos Eduardo (Amoroso, 66') and Tuta (Everton, 85'). Coach: Mano Menezes