Grêmio visit Flamengo at the Maracanã on Wednesday with momentum from three consecutive victories, but the match presents several challenges as they try to move further clear of the relegation zone. A draw is seen as a useful result given the gap between the teams in the Brazilian league standings: Flamengo lead with 73 points, while Grêmio are 15th with 37.
Grêmio have only just climbed out of the relegation places and could return to the bottom four after the 34th round, depending on other results. Internacional host Coritiba, Mirassol face Chapecoense, and Corinthians meet São Paulo. Even a draw in Rio may not be enough to keep Grêmio clear of danger.
The pressure is heightened by the uncertainty around the points tally needed to stay up. Mirassol, currently the first team outside the relegation zone, have a 37% win rate; maintaining that pace over their final five matches would add five points and put the projected safety mark at 42. The threshold can change from round to round, however.
Grêmio will be without striker Carlos Vinicius and goalkeeper Weverton, both suspended after receiving their third yellow cards. Vinicius is the club’s leading scorer this season with 22 goals, while Weverton has made important saves and assisted Vinicius against Atlético-MG. Left-back Marlon is also a likely absentee after taking a knock in that match.
The schedule could further complicate the task. Wednesday’s league match falls between the two legs of Grêmio’s Copa do Brasil semifinal against Atlético-MG, and coach Renato Portaluppi said he would assess players before deciding who is fit to start. He cited the possibility of resting players such as Amuzu and Villasanti amid a run of three matches in one week.
Renato described Flamengo as a powerful opponent who have had more time to rest, while stressing that his team must keep fighting in both competitions. After the Flamengo match, Grêmio play the return leg against Atlético-MG before the international break. Their league campaign resumes against Bahia on the 18th, and their final two fixtures include direct clashes with Corinthians and Mirassol.
Recent meetings also point to a difficult assignment. In the last 20 matches between the clubs, Grêmio have recorded three wins, four draws and 13 losses. Their only victory at the Maracanã in that span came in 2021; their other two wins were 3-2 victories at home in 2023 and 2024. Last season, Grêmio held Flamengo to a draw at the Maracanã, with goalkeeper Tiago Volpi scoring from the penalty spot.
Sources: Globo Esporte.