Gustavo Martins, Geromel, and Carballo join the rest of the group in São Paulo. After leaving the relegation zone with a win over Vasco on Sunday evening, Grêmio begins preparations to face Corinthians in the first match of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. Gustavo Martins and Geromel joined the group in São Paulo to strengthen the defense. Carballo also traveled over the weekend, leaving the coaching staff with only Natã available as a defender on the bench.
Gustavo Martins had been dealing with muscle pain and was recovering in Porto Alegre last week. The medical team cleared the defender, and he traveled to São Paulo on Monday to participate in the duel against Corinthians. Besides the young player, Carballo, who was suspended for the match against Vasco, also left the capital of Rio Grande do Sul to join his teammates. The Uruguayan player provides Renato Gaúcho with another option in midfield.
Rafael Cabral, Grêmio’s backup goalkeeper in the Brazilian championship, cannot play in the Brazil Cup because he already participated in the competition with Cruzeiro. Forwards André Henrique and the injured Diego Costa, along with Rodrigo Caio, who was injured in training, are added to the list of absentees. After the win at Arena Condá in Chapecó, Grêmio’s delegation returned to São Paulo in the early hours of the morning. In the afternoon, they trained at Palmeiras’ training center. Renato leads the final training session on Tuesday before the crucial match.
Grêmio faces Corinthians on Wednesday at Neo Química Arena, starting at 9:30 p.m. The return match will take place next week. The venue for that match has not been confirmed yet, but it is expected that the team from Rio Grande do Sul will play at Couto Pereira in Curitiba. Geromel and Gustavo Martins are particularly important since the coach used a three-defender formation in the last two matches.