6-06-07 - Grêmio Faces Santos for Spot in Libertadores Finals

Ninety minutes separate Grêmio from a berth in the Libertadores Cup finals. The Tricolor will try to defend a 2-0 lead at Vila Belmiro Stadium against a fired up Santos team looking to avenge its first loss. The Fish, who are perfect at home, need a 3-0 win in order to reach the finals for the first time since 2003. For Grêmio, a loss by one goal will suffice. A 2-0 Santos win would send the tie to penalty kicks.

While that may seem like a comfortable margin, Grêmio knows that its position is far from secure. The Tricolor has played extremely poor on the road this year. Its last away triumph came back in March, a 3-1 win over Caxias in the first stage of the Gaúcho State Championship. Since then, Grêmio has managed seven losses and one tie away from Olímpico Stadium. Six of those losses were by multiple goals.

More pertinent to tonight’s game, Grêmio has had trouble scoring on the road. With a 3-3 tie with Juventude aside, Grêmio has been shut out in six of its last seven road games. Santos needs a 2-0 win to force penalty kicks, but if Grêmio can manage a solitary goal, it would force Santos to score four.

In order to reach its first finals since 1995, Grêmio must avoid an early goal at all costs. A quick Santos score would take a lot of pressure off the home team and bring the already fired up crowd even more into the game. If the Tricolor can survive the first 20 minutes, it stands a good chance of holding out. A goal on a counter-attack is crucial. A Grêmio goal would change the whole dynamic of the game. But to do that, the Tricolor must play to win. Sitting back on defense will not suffice at Vila Belmiro.

Libertadores Cup Semifinals - Game 2
Kickoff: 5:45 pm (PST)
Local: Vila Belmiro Stadium, Santos (BRA)

Road Woes - Grêmio's last eight road games

Brasil-Pe	L, 0-1
Cúcuta	L, 1-3
Caxias	L, 0-3
Juventude	T, 3-3
São Paulo	L, 0-1
Paraná	L, 0-3
Defensor	L, 0-2
Botafogo	L, 0-3