This Sunday, May 4, 2025, Grêmio and Santos faced off at the Arena do Grêmio in Porto Alegre for the seventh round of the Brasileirão 2025. With both teams struggling in the early season, the stakes were high as they sought to secure vital points to climb out of the relegation zone.
Grêmio entered the match in a precarious position, sitting in 18th place with just five points after five matches without a win. The team’s recent form had been dismal, culminating in a 3-2 defeat against CSA in the Copa do Brasil, prompting coach Mano Menezes to make several changes to the starting lineup. In a bid to turn their fortunes around, he included Igor Serrote, Wagner Leonardo, and Cristaldo in place of João Pedro, Kannemann, and Monsalve, respectively.
Santos, on the other hand, was faring even worse, occupying the penultimate position with only four points from 18 available. Their last outing resulted in a 1-1 draw against CRB in the Copa do Brasil, leading coach Cléber Xavier to shake up his squad as well. He brought in Luisão, Luan Peres, Tomás Rincón, Soteldo, Thaciano, and Deivid Washington to replace Aderlan, Gil, Diego Pituca, Gabriel Veron, Guilherme, and Tiquinho.
The match kicked off at 16:00 local time, and both teams were keen to assert themselves early on. Grêmio's captain Edenílson and Santos' captain Tomás Rincón led their respective teams onto the pitch, setting the stage for what promised to be an intense encounter.
As the first half unfolded, the action was fast-paced, but neither team could find the back of the net. Grêmio had a few promising chances, including a shot from Martin Braithwaite that was blocked by Santos goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão. The home side also earned several corner kicks, with Marlon Rodrigues Xavier taking the lead in set-piece duties.
By the 18th minute, Grêmio had already secured a corner, which was executed by Douglas Moreira Fagundes. Santos responded with their own corner taken by Yeferson Soteldo, but both teams struggled to convert these opportunities into goals.
As the match progressed, both teams faced disciplinary challenges. Grêmio's Walter Kannemann received a yellow card in the 11th minute, followed shortly by Martin Braithwaite being booked just two minutes into the second half. Santos also had their share of cautions, with Luis Fellipe Campos Doria and Luan Peres Petroni both receiving yellow cards.
At halftime, the score remained 0-0, with both teams eager to find the breakthrough in the second half. The players returned to the pitch with renewed vigor, and Grêmio made a tactical substitution, bringing on Alysson Edward for Edenílson.
In the 60th minute, Grêmio made another substitution, replacing Franco Cristaldo with Miguel Monsalve, while Santos responded by bringing on Gabriel Bontempo for Benjamín Rollheiser in the 61st minute. The changes aimed to inject fresh energy into both teams as they sought to secure a crucial win.
As the second half progressed, Grêmio continued to apply pressure, with Marlon Rodrigues Xavier taking a corner kick in the 67th minute. However, Santos' defense held firm, blocking attempts and preventing any clear shots on goal. The match remained intense, with both teams exchanging chances but failing to capitalize.
As the clock ticked down, the tension grew palpable. Fans from both sides were on edge, hoping for a moment of brilliance that could swing the match in their favor. Grêmio's attempts were met with solid defensive work from Santos, while Deivid Washington of Santos had a shot blocked by Jemerson de Jesus Nascimento in the 50th minute.
With each passing minute, the urgency increased. Grêmio's supporters cheered their team on, hoping for at least a point to help them climb out of the relegation zone. The match was a battle of wills, with both teams showing determination but lacking the finishing touch.
As the final whistle approached, the score remained 0-0, reflecting the struggles both teams faced in the league this season. With this draw, Grêmio remained in 18th place with five points, while Santos lingered in 19th with four points, both teams desperately needing to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming matches.
As the players left the pitch, it was clear that this match would be a critical turning point for both clubs in their quest for survival in the top flight. With the next round of fixtures on the horizon, fans will be eager to see how their teams respond to this stalemate, hoping for a resurgence in form as the season progresses.
