With the best Gauchão campaign, Tricolor should save holders in Erechim

To face Canarinho, the tendency is for the coach to send an alternative lineup to the field, preserving most of the starters. The next Grêmio match will be the Ferroviária team from Ceará, on Thursday, the 16th, at the Arena, for the second phase of the Copa do Brasil.

With the triumph over Inter, Grêmio reached 28 points, opening nine points over their biggest rival, who is in second place. The week will be full of training from the re-presentation on Tuesday. Even without games, Portaluppi must preserve the majority of holders in Erechim.

One certainty is that Thaciano is out as he received the third yellow card and will be suspended. Villasanti was reassessed on Monday, but no injury was diagnosed. The midfielder had to be replaced 14 minutes into the first half after fouling Baralhas himself. The exam showed only muscle fatigue in the left thigh.

After the victory at Grenal, Portaluppi skewered the press, asking which Serie A team in the country had a campaign as good as Grêmio’s at the start of the season. Alongside Athletico-PR, Tricolor has a 94.4% success rate, with 11 wins and a draw in 12 games played. Remembering that the only match not won by Grêmio was the tie with São Luiz, when Portaluppi sent a completely reserve team to the field.

The coach also spoke again about the club’s last relegation to Série B do Brasileiro. “I left and Grêmio dropped to the second division. Some criticize it, saying it’s my fault. I put together a group to fight for the top positions. But they put the boys at the wrong time and it turned out the way it did”, recalled Portaluppi .