To confirm South American, Vitória seeks to end a 10-year fast against Grêmio

After beating Fortaleza and confirming their stay in the first division, Vitória continues in Salvador to host Grêmio, at Barradão, and reach another milestone in the season: the Copa Sudamericana. Valid for the 37th round of the Brazilian Championship, the clash between the 10th and 11th takes place today, starting at 8pm, at Barradão.

With 45 points, there are only three left to “seize” going to the international competition once and for all. According to calculations by the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), finishing the competition with 48 points would be a guarantee of playing in the South American Championship in 2025. Also according to the university, the red-black club has a 96.9% probability about going to the tournament. There is still a 2.7% chance of a place in the Libertadores, but for that to happen, Leão needs to win the last two games and hope for a combination of results.

Starting in the last round, defender Edu made it clear that the Brasileirão is not over yet and now the new objective has been set. “It’s the same seriousness as the last few games. We achieved our first objective, which was to stay in Series A and now we are also looking for the South American Championship. We continue with the same concentration for this vacancy”, he gave the message.

Overcoming Grêmio at Barradão means putting an end to a decade-long taboo. Since 2014, Leão has not been able to overcome the team from Rio Grande do Sul, both inside and outside of Salvador. On that occasion, Kieza and Diego Renan were responsible for the goals scored by the team at Barradão, while defender Victor Ramos scored an own goal.

In general, Vitória and Grêmio faced each other on 50 occasions, with 13 positive results for the red and black, 25 for the tricolor and 12 draws. At Toca, however, it is the red and black team who have won the most matches. There were 21 home games, with 10 wins, four draws and seven defeats.

Coach Thiago Carpini highlighted the importance of winning the last two matches. For the confrontation, the commander does not have striker Zé Hugo, suspended for his third yellow card. Substituted in the first play on the field, midfielder Matheuzinho had edema detected in his left ankle and should be another absence. On the other hand, Carlos Eduardo is once again listed.

Also without having any more chances of falling, Grêmio arrives motivated after beating São Paulo at home: 2-1. Despite the order being “maximum strength”, coach Renato Gaúcho does not have three players for the match at Barradão.

Defender Kannemann is injured and is certain to be absent, as is defender Rodrigo Ely, with a dislocated foot. Striker André Henrique is also out. Due to his absences, Rodrigo Caio should appear among the starters, as Geromel has not played all the matches.

Probable Grêmio team: Marchesín; João Pedro, Rodrigo Caio, Jemerson and Reinaldo; Villasanti, Dodi, Aravena, Cristaldo and Soteldo; Braithwaite.