The first all-Brazilian showdown in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 sees Gremio and Fluminense lock horns at the Estadio Couto Pereira in Porto Alegre on Tuesday night.
Gremio, known as the "Clube de Todos" (Club of All), finished second in their group after a 1-1 draw with Estudiantes in their final fixture. Meanwhile, the defending champions, Fluminense, topped Group A, securing a 3-2 victory over Alianza Lima in their last Libertadores encounter.
A Tale of Two Halves for Gremio
Gremio's Libertadores journey began with a rocky start, but they rallied in the latter stages of the group phase, picking up points in three of their final four matches after losing their first two. Despite being seven minutes away from topping their group, Renato Gaucho's side conceded an equaliser to Estudiantes, allowing The Strongest to claim first place on goal difference.
This was the second time Gremio had dropped points at home in the tournament, but they enter the clash against Fluminense on a positive run, undefeated in normal time across their last four competitive games at the Estadio Couto Pereira.
This is Gremio's first Libertadores knockout fixture since 2020, when they reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by fellow Brazilian side Santos. They boast a strong record in the Round of 16, having advanced beyond this stage in their previous four appearances, including four consecutive home victories.
Fluminense's Unbeatable Knockout Record
Fluminense have been a force to be reckoned with in the knockout stages of the Libertadores. They enter this clash unbeaten in their last 11 knockout matches, with their last defeat in the knockout phase coming in the 2013 quarter-finals against Olimpia.
The Rio-based club has showcased their attacking prowess in the final 45 minutes of their group stage matches, outscoring their opponents 7-1 during this period. However, they have never held a lead at half-time in any of those matches.
While Fluminense's knockout record is impressive, they are on a two-match losing streak away from home across all competitions, having suffered a 2-0 defeat at Vasco da Gama in the Brasileira Serie A. However, they have a history of pulling off dramatic comebacks in the Libertadores, as evidenced by their 2-1 victory over Internacional in the second leg of the semi-finals last year. This was the first time since 1971 that they defeated a Brazilian opponent away from home in the competition.
Team News and Lineups
Gremio will be without Jhonata Robert and Andre, who are both sidelined with knee and ankle injuries respectively. Mayk could be available despite suffering from muscle soreness. Renato Gaucho made one change to his starting eleven between matchday five and six of the Libertadores, with Cristian Pavon replacing Everton on the wing. Franco Cristaldo, who scored the only goal against Estudiantes, will be looking to continue his goal-scoring form.
Fluminense may be without David Terans due to a calf strain, while German Cano could also miss the match with a sore foot. Marquinhos and Marcelo are both doubtful with thigh injuries, while Kevin Serna could feature as he nears a full recovery from a calf strain. Keno, Marcelo, and John Kennedy all scored in the second half against Alianza Lima, proving their ability to turn the tide of a match.
Fluminense's remarkable ability to turn the tide in the second half and their impressive knockout record give them a strong chance of claiming a result against Gremio, despite their recent away struggles. The Tricolor, however, will be eager to capitalise on their home advantage and their dominance over Fluminense in recent domestic encounters. Expect a tightly contested affair with both sides eager to gain the upper hand in this crucial first leg.
