Grêmio and Fluminense reached the first leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 in the same way. Both are in full football recovery, after starting the Brasileirão with very poor results.
Porto Alegre will be the home team in the match that will be played today at 7pm (Brasilia time) at the Couto Pereira stadium in Curitiba, as their stadium is still inoperative following the tragic floods that hit southern Brazil. The return match will be next week at the Maracana.
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Renato Gaúcho’s team has earned 13 of the last 15 points in the Brazilian league to avoid relegation. In the last matchday they beat Cuiabá 3-1 away, with two goals scored and one conceded by their star signing, the Danish Martin Braithwaite.
In addition to the former Barcelona player, Grêmio registered four of its eight signings for the Libertadores in this transfer window: Colombian Miguel Monsalve, Chilean Alexander Aravena, Uruguayan Matías Arezo and Brazilian Jemerson.
📆😍 ¡Llegó el día! Los primeros partidos de Octavos de Final de la CONMEBOL #Libertadores, en busca de la #GloriaEterna. pic.twitter.com/TXUU7b42Ww
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) August 13, 2024
For its part, Fluminense’s recovery is based on the defensive improvement after the return of Thiago Silva, the goal-scoring instinct of the young Kauá Elias and the mentorship of Mano Menezes, coach since the end of June, when he replaced Fernando Diniz.
The Brazilians lost 2-0 to city rivals Vasco da Gama on Saturday, but had previously won four games in a row. They remain in the relegation zone, but are now very close to safety.
In order to defend the Libertadores title won last year, Flu has new signings such as Thiago Silva, Ignácio, Nonato, the Uruguayan Facundo Bernal and the Ecuadorian Kevin Serna, who had an explosive start since joining the first team.
Possible lineups
Guild
Augustin Marchesin; Rodrigo Ely, Jemerson, Walter Kannemann; Joao Pedro, Miguel Monsalve, Franco Cristaldo, Matias Villasanti, Reinaldo; Yeferson Soteldo and Martin Braitwhaite.
Fluminense
Fabio; Samuel Xavier, Thiago Silva, Thiago Santos, Diogo Barbosa; André, Martinelli, Ganso; Jhon Arias, Kauá Elias and Kevin Serna.
