Football Season Guide

Just like in previous seasons, Grêmio gave priority to Libertadores and that meant that a reserve team was frequently used in Série A games. The result was a compromising performance in the middle of the year, and a good final third wasn't enough to give Tricolor a better place than 4th. Renato Portaluppi will command the team once again in a rare case of several seasons on the job in Brazil. Perhaps the special conditions of the year and the threat of Flamengo to build a dominance in the country will convince Renato to prioritize domestic league this time. Grêmio should continue playing in their attacking and fast playing style. Tricolor brought some experienced safe values of Brazilian football to balance the excellent quality of youngsters in the squad. Grêmio focused their market on the relegated Cruzeiro (Orejuela, Silva and Neves), players losing their place in Santos (the reliable goalkeeper Vanderlei and full-back Ferraz) and the off contract striker Diego Souza. All very experienced in Série A. Grêmio so far only lost Luan, who was losing his steam in recent years and looked for more minutes at Corinthians. However, the excellent Everton 'Cebolinha' and the hot young talents Matheus Henrique and Jean Pyerre have been linked with many European sharks. There are enough young talents waiting for their turn, too. Pepê and Ferreira are two to watch in upcoming years. There is a worry on lack of good reserve options at the back.