Picture Credits: RBS TV Agency, Felix Zucco


Grêmio 2 X 1 SPFC Match Review

Grêmio suffered a much early goal in a (very) rare big mistake of Pedro Geromel CB, but São Paulo became overly defensive after they opened the score against the hosts, and shortly (15-20’) after the goal, Grêmio already had an astonishing 79% of ball possession, which translated into a very open game.

São Paulo’s coach stated in his pre-match interview that he aimed to mirror Grêmio’s midfield which counts on defensive midfielders that are keen to make long passes and even assists as well as long range shots, but the strategy proved to be a bad idea as SPFC’s “middle of the middle” as I use to call, meaning the Central Defensive Midfielder sector, was completely open and Grêmio had many chances and spaces to build their ways towards attacking that way.

On a side note, Luan AM of Grêmio was in a particularly bad day, considering that Gremio had lots of spaces at his sector it’s very accurate to say the fans expected more from him.

The big star of the night was Everton, Gremio’s young winger who scored at the very end of the first half and then in the 2nd half, he was a bit of everything: Winger, Striker, Left Back, you name it, he contributed in every way possible to the hosts victory.

Kanneman CB of Grêmio was also incredible and blocked a goal from SPFC’s Nenê in the end of the 1st half in a moment Gremio was much better in the match.

Summarizing, Grêmio suffered an early goal but got to win the match (deservedly), although São Paulo has had chances when they were ahead in the score, if you consider the net number of chances produced by each side, 2x1 was a fair score.

Man of the Match: Everton (10/10)

Grêmio’s ratings: Marcelo Grohe GK (8/10), Leonardo RB (6/10), Geromel CB (5/10), Kanneman CB (10/10) Marcelo Oliveira LB (7/10), Cícero CM (6/10), Maicon CM (7/10), Luan AM (5/10), Everton LW (10/10), Jael ST (5/10), Ramiro RW (7/10)

Subs: Marinho (6/10), Thaciano (4/10), Jaílson (6/10)

SPFC’s ratings: Sidão GK (4/10), Militão RB (6/10), Arboleda CB (5/10), Anderson Martins CB (5/10), Reinaldo LB (5/10), Hudson CDM (4/10), Liziero CDM (5/10), Nenê AM (7/10), Diego Souza ATT (7/10), Rojas ATT (4/10)

Subs: Lucas Fernandes AM (5/10), Brenner ATT (5/10), Carneiro ATT (5/10)

Referee Notes: Many violent fouls were tolerated, Hudson CDM of SPFC could have been sent off twice, plus he allowed the players too much talking which is always negative. Had Gremio not won the match they would have a lot to complain about the match officials, especially the referee. Rating: 3/10