Grêmio will face Flamengo at the Maracanã with four or five first-team players expected to be unavailable, as coach Renato Portaluppi manages suspensions and physical fatigue ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.
The two players described as the team’s best have been told to pick up their third yellow cards, while two other starters are expected to be rested because they are close to muscular exhaustion. The approach leaves Grêmio facing the Brasileirão leaders with a depleted lineup.
The decision comes before a Copa do Brasil knockout match on Saturday and a subsequent home league game that the team considers essential to win. The assessment is that a loss to Flamengo would only become a major setback if it came with a heavy defeat.
Sources: Globo Esporte.