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Grêmio de Renato gained identity from 2016 with one characteristic: short touches. But, paradoxically, they beat Guaraní on Thursday night, in the first match of the Libertadores round of 16, in two long balls. Similar movements showing the team potential to adapt to match context.
The two goals of the club’s 105th victory in the Libertadores have a point in common in addition to the shots from above. They found the speed of Pepê, the team’s flight especially for the moments when the advantage is already settled on the scoreboard.
At 11 minutes into the second half at Defensores del Chaco, the striker took advantage of a long ball by David Braz behind Tripichio, entered the area and ordered his friend Jean Pyerre to open the scoring.
Near the end, it was a kick from Vanderlei to search for the young man. The defense was partially removed, but Churín found the empty space with a header to the back of the defense. Pepê covered the goalkeeper and placed Grêmio one step away from the quarterfinals.
Pepê was decisive in Grêmio’s victory with his speed – Photo: Lucas Uebel / Grêmio
Before deciding the match, the 25 shirt had created an opportunity in the pass from Diego Souza in depth. It was also his touch on the goalkeeper that Luiz Fernando did not reach at the start of the game.
– We work the ball to reach the attack, but many times the opponent plays with a high line and, playing with a high line, we have space for the counterattack. That’s why the long ball is often welcome, said coach Renato Portaluppi.
The important thing is to have several plays. We work the ball, we arrive, we finish, we have the long ball. We scored both goals in both games
– Renato Portaluppi
The dangerous moves feature a Grêmio hugging and dominating the opponent with short touches from the trio Darlan, Matheus Henrique and Jean Pyerre. But he did well at Pepê’s speed.
Darlan, by the way, had the most passes, with 82. Jean had 55 and Matheus, 49. Only defender David Braz came close to the middle midfielder, with 52.
Grêmio has alternated moments during the 90 minutes with mastery. In the first half, he had more difficulty attacking from the Guaraní. Then, he touched the ball further from the rival area, defended himself from one foot to the other and avoided problems.
In the second, he knew how to attack the spaces left by the Paraguayan high line. Even before opening the scoring, Luiz Fernando had lost an opportunity in the face of the goalkeeper when he appeared free inside the area. It was the key to take advantage of Defensores del Chaco.
The important thing is to have several plays, because we work the ball, we arrive, we finish. We have the long ball to take advantage of the speed of the attackers. Once again, we scored both goals in both games.
– Renato Portaluppi
It is true that Vanderlei avoided Guaraní’s goal in two moments. First, in a corner kick. The ball hit Víctor Ferraz and left Baéz in the small area. But Grêmio’s goalkeeper did a miracle in the opponent’s deflection. Shortly after came the goal of Jean Pyerre.
Vanderlei would also work on a Jorge Morel shot from outside the area. The only two danger moves of the hosts at the beginning. Overall, Grêmio suffered little.
Renato Portaluppi has pointed the way for the team – Photo: Staff Images / Conmebol
This alternation within the party comes from other commitments. In the second match of the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals, against Cuiabá, Pepê ran a good part of the field after throwing Mathus Henrique to help Diego Souza with the second goal.
The changes led by coach Renato Portaluppi combined the essence of the ball possession game with a speed transition with Pepê. Something that existed in the great moments of the 2016 and 2017 champion teams, with Pedro Rocha and Fernandinho.
The union squad returns to Porto Alegre and takes a break this Friday. The next appointment is Monday, at 6pm, against Goiás, in a late game for Brasileirão, at the Arena. On Thursday, also in Porto Alegre, the round of 16 will be played. Even if they lose by a goal difference with Guaraní, Tricolor will qualify.
