Grêmio started their quest for a place in the group stage of the Libertadores with a defeat. Independiente de Valle scored two second half goals, after going down just nine minutes into the game. Diego Souza initially scored to put Tricolor ahead.
The home side were in control of the game from the start, but went down in the ninth minute, when Souza headed in Alisson’s cross.
However, the goal seemed to motivate Independiente all the more. The Ecuadorians had several chances to draw level minutes later, through efforts from Ortiz and Montenegro but both players fluffed their lines.
Few minutes into the second half, Faravelli finally got the equalizing goal after a wonderful team effort and great exchange of passes.
Grêmio had a bit of misfortune in the 60th minute, when Montenegro was brought down in the box by Ruan, with the home side awarded a penalty. To make matters worse, Ruan also received his second yellow card of the evening and was given his matching orders.
Faravelli took the resulting spot kick and scored, getting his second goal of the night. Independiente continued to dominate possession afterwards and the game ended in favour of the home side.
Following that result, Grêmio now need to win the return leg by a 1-0 score-line or generally win the game with two goals better than their opponents. It won’t come as an easy task but they’ll fancy their chances of doing that on home turf.
The return leg will be played on Wednesday in the Arena. The winner will join Group A of the Libertadores which will include Palmeiras, Defensa y Justicia, from Argentina, and Universitario, from Peru.
