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After almost six months, Thiago Neves earned a chance as a starter for Grêmio in the loss to Sport. With the 10 jersey on his back, the midfielder did not perform well and was the target of the fans on social media, currently the demo forum with empty stands. But coach Renato Portaluppi came out in defense of the veteran and still fires at the press for criticism.
+ Renato praises Grêmio even after losing to the flashlight
This is nothing new. The coach usually places himself between an athlete and public opinion. In the post-match interview, the coach even quoted André in his reply praising Thiago Neves, Grêmio’s top scorer in the loss to Sport, with five shots, alongside Jean Pyerre.
– In my opinion, he still has a lot to give. But all the opportunities of the first half were practically at his feet. Here in the South it was like that with André, when they think it doesn’t work, they start massacring that player – said Renato.
Thiago Neves after a goal lost by Grêmio against Sport – Photo: Lucas Bubols / ge
Thiago Neves’ line-up surprised, mainly because of the presence of Jean Pyerre among the substitutes, the young man was placed in the game as a midfielder in the first half. It was the main opportunity the midfielder received among the starters.
– Thiago is part of the Grêmio group, I already told you that we are going to run the group a little so that some of them seek rhythm of the game and so that we can see all the players having opportunities. It was the first time it started after the pandemic. He has dedicated himself and trained well, it was his chance to start – Renato added.
Contract only until December
Thiago Neves has a contract to end at the end of December, while the season runs until February 2021. Soccer vice president Paulo Luz was asked if there would be an automatic renewal stemming from a series of games played by the midfielder stipulated in the agreement .
The union official said that the club is in the process of evaluation, although he has not denied that there are a series of parties stipulated to renew the link.
– The contract has protective, confidential clauses, which would be prevented from making comments. Grêmio has practice, which consists of examining all the athletes and their renewals. Thiago is included in this process. Always before a reform, it goes through a process of technical evaluation, of the business conditions, of the amounts involved. The situation is under examination – Paulo Luz guaranteed.
Thiago Neves has played 14 games with the Grêmio shirt, four of them as a starter, and scored a goal. With the loss to Sport, Grêmio fell to 16th position in the Brasileirão table, with 7 points, and was on the edge of the Z-4.