Grêmio faced a hard-fought defeat in the Campeonato Gaúcho as they secured the runner-up position after a dramatic final against Internacional. In the much-anticipated second leg at Beira-Rio, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, following a 2-0 loss in the first leg at their home stadium, Arena. This outcome marked yet another missed chance for Grêmio to claim their elusive eighth state title.
The draw showcased the determined spirit of both teams. Enner Valencia opened the scoring for Internacional with a stunning long-range free-kick that found the back of the net, leaving Grêmio's goalkeeper Tiago Volpi with little response. However, in a swift counter from the Tricolor, defender Wagner Leonardo equalized just minutes later with a header, igniting hopes for Grêmio fans.
Reflecting on the matchup, ex-Grêmio player and idol Maicon, who has a storied history with the club, offered his insights on the final's outcome. He stated, "The Inter already has a group from last year and that helps a lot... The Grêmio has some remaining players in the group, but there are new players, a new coach, and it takes time to get acquainted..." This clarity highlights the transitional phase Grêmio finds itself in, balancing experienced members alongside newcomers.
Maicon, whose career includes lifting several significant trophies for Grêmio, expressed disappointment at not reaching the coveted octa. "I wanted the eighth [title]? Definitely, but it’s part of it. They deserved it because they played well the first game of the final," he reflected, acknowledging Internacional’s stronger showing in the first leg.
The win in the Gaúcho final was not merely significant for the trophy cabinet; it also broke a nine-year title drought for Internacional, enhancing their reputation in the state. This sentiment was echoed by Elia Jr., who proclaimed, "Internacional is the big favorite to be the Gaúcho champion and end a long drought of 9 years without a state title." His comment underlines the deep-seated rivalry and the implications of victory for both clubs.
As the championship concluded, attention swiftly turned towards the future. Grêmio's coach, Gustavo Quinteros, faces further challenges, having received a four-game suspension due to aggressive conduct during a semifinal match against Juventude. After a controversial incident that prompted a VAR review, Quinteros confronted referee Anderson Daronco and was subsequently expelled from the match. His actions in the heat of the moment led to a ruling from the Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva, branding the incident as a violation of the Code of Sports Justice.
As a result of this suspension, Grêmio must adapt without their coach for a significant portion of next season's Gauchão tournament, should he still be in charge. Furthermore, the club has been fined R$5,000 for Quinteros’ noncompliance with rules post-expulsion, which adds another layer of complexity to their planning moving forward.
Looking ahead, Grêmio will kick off their Brasileiro season against Atlético-MG on March 29 at 18:30 Brasília time, aiming for a strong start to the national league. Additionally, on April 2 at 21:30, they will travel to Paraguay for their Copa Sul-Americana debut against Sportivo Luqueño, a match many fans will be eagerly watching as the club seeks to return to form after a challenging state tournament.
With the dust settling on the Gauchão, fans and players alike hope that Grêmio can harness the experience gained from this year’s tournament to push for greater success in upcoming competitions. The melding of old and new talent within the squad could either present fresh challenges or offer a new pathway to glory for the Imortal.
