Reserves Routed by Paraná

After playing seven straight games with playoff implications, Grêmio finally got a reprieve in its Brazilian Championship opener. With the team’s future not on the line for the first time since April 11th, Mano Menezes gave his starters a much needed break. And since everybody knows that Grêmio does not have a deep bench, the resulting 3-0 thrashing by Paraná was not unexpected. Grêmio (0 pts) ends the first round of the Brazilian Championship in last place, while Paraná (3 pts) is in second.

Lacking form and rhythm, Grêmio was no match for Paraná. The Tricolor Paranaense took advantage of the wings and worked on an aerial attack against the Grêmio goal. Grêmio, meanwhile, could not get the ball to its forwards, leaving Douglas and Éverton isolated in the front. Paraná went in front in the 29th when Vinícius Pacheco crossed from the left side to Josiel, who shot at Galatto. The ball glanced off the keeper and into the back of the net: Paraná, 1-0.

Mano Menezes made adjustments at halftime that made the Tricolor more effective on the field. Grêmio began to threaten the Paraná goal, with Pereira sending two headers over the crossbar. But any chance of a comeback ended in the 25th when Jucemar committed a penalty on Renan. Josiel converted the ensuing kick to double the lead: Paraná, 2-0. The Tricolor Paranaense added insult to injury in the 37th when Renan headed forward a pass from the goalkeeper to a wide open Lima. The midfielder had only Galatto to beat and did not disappoint: Paraná, 3-0.

Grêmio’s will host Fluminense next Sunday in the second round of the Brazilian Championship. But first, it will travel to Montevideo to take on Defensor in the Libertadores Cup quarterfinals. The Uruguayans eliminated Flamengo in the Round of 16 thanks to a huge 3-0 effort in the first leg. Grêmio must be careful not to allow the same thing to happen to them. .

Paraná (3)	Grêmio (0)
Josiel (29') Josiel (70' PK) Lima (82')
Adriano (13')	Bruno Teles (52') Jucemar (69') Schiavi (74')
Venue:  Durival Brito Stadium, Curitiba (PR)
Paraná: Flávio; Toninho, Daniel Marques, Luiz Henrique and Léo Matos; Xaves, Adriano, Joelson (Lima, 78') and Márcio Careca (Éverton, HT); Vinícius Pacheco (Renan, 68') and Josiel. Coach: Zetti	Grêmio: Gallato; Gavilán, Schiavi, Pereira and Bruno Teles; Nunes, William Magrão (Jucemar, HT), Itaqui and Ramón; Éverton and Douglas (Adilson, HT). Coach: Mano Menezes