Grêmio Racks Up Another Three Points on the Road

The thing that plagued Grêmio during its Libertadores Cup campaign – playing on the road – has not been an issue since it lost the South American title to Boca Juniors. A goal in the final minutes at Mineirão Stadium gave the Tricolor its second road win in its past three contests away from Olímpico and extended its unbeaten streak to four. The win moved Grêmio (16 pts) into 5th place and just one point out of the Libertadores qualifying zone. Atlético-MG (13 pts) remained in 12th place after having its winless streak reach four.

Once again, Grêmio’s lack of talent at offense was sorely felt as the team struggled to produce scoring opportunities. To complicate matters, Bruno Teles, who was to use this game to prove he belonged in the starting lineup, stepped in a hole and injured his knee just four minutes into the game. He was replaced by William Thiego. Two minutes later, Eder Luís broke down the right side and passed to Tchô, who blasted a rocket towards the goal. Saja was beaten, but fortunately Patrício was able to save the ball right at the goal line.

That opportunity was the best either side would manage for the remainder of the first half. Grêmio did have a chance in the 25th, but Ramón tripped himself up inside the area and allowed the defense to disarm him.

The second half began much like the first, with Grêmio suffering an injury. Sandro Goiano felt pain in his left hamstring and left the game in the 6th. He was replaced by Kelly, who provided an offensive boost. In the 14th, Lúcio broke free and crossed to Ramón, who headed the ball to the ground where Diego made the stop at the goal line. Atlético-MG responded three minutes later when Saja attempted to challenge an attacker and left the goal wide open. Fortunately, Paulo Henrique succumbed to his nerves and shot wide right.

With neither team able to overcome its errors, it was individual talent that finally decided the game. In the 42nd, Diego Souza broke into the area from the left side, dribbled past his defenders, and sent the ball into the back of the net: Grêmio, 1-0. The Tricolor then ran out the clock and secured its first victory over the Roosters in Belo Horizonte since 1984.

Despite its many injuries, Grêmio has overcome the disappointment of losing the Libertadores Cup final to earn 10 points in its last four games. More impressively, seven of those points have come on the road. Now on the cusp of the Libertadores Cup qualifying zone, one has to wonder how far up the standings Grêmio could have been if it had not been splitting its attention with the Libertadores Cup. The Tricolor dropped four of its first six games by fielding reserve teams in order to concentrate on the continental competition.

Atlético-MG (0)	Grêmio (1)
	Diego Souza (87')
Danilinho (33') Renan (42') Bilu (69') Marcos (80')	Lúcio (21') Saja (73') Diego Souza (88')
Venue:  Mineirão Stadium, Belo Horizonte (MG)
Atlético-MG: Diego; Luisinho Netto (Amilton, 78'), Lima, Marcos and Thiago Feltri (Germano, 83'); Renan, Bilu, Tchô and Danilinho; Éder Luís and Vanderlei (Paulo Henrique, 60'). Coach: Zetti	Grêmio: Saja; Patrício, William, Schiavi and Bruno Teles (Thiego, 9'); Gavilán, Sandro Goiano (Kelly, 51'), Diego Souza and Lúcio; Ramón and Éverton (Nunes, 60'). Coach: Mano Menezes