Campeonato Gaúcho: Inter beat Grêmio to advance to semi-final

Internacional beat the city rivals Grêmio 2-1 in Sunday’s Gaúchão Gre-Nal semi-final held, not in Porto Alegre, but in Caxias do Sul as the Beira-Rio is being renovated. Grêmio coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo decided to stick with a relatively second string team, with his eyes firmly on progressing in the Copa Libertadores, and kept just Dida […]
by
sambafoot_admin
2013-02-25 12:26:00

Internacional beat the city rivals Grêmio 2-1 in Sunday’s Gaúchão Gre-Nal semi-final held, not in Porto Alegre, but in Caxias do Sul as the Beira-Rio is being renovated.

Grêmio coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo decided to stick with a relatively second string team, with his eyes firmly on progressing in the Copa Libertadores, and kept just Dida and Werley in the side that beat Fluminense 3-0 in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.

Inter coach Dunga picked his strongest team and it showed early on as Inter took the lead on 28 minutes when Diego Forlan was fouled in the area by Matheus Biteco and the referee gave a deserved penalty, which the former Manchester United star slotted away with ease.

Despite the relative youth and inexperience in the Grêmio side they were more than a match for Inter and had plenty of chances to equalise before half-time.

However, 12 minutes after the break Inter stretched their lead to 2-0 when Rodrigo Moledo headed in a corner from Forlan past Dida who was caught in no-mans land.

Grêmio got a goal back with 20 minutes to play when Leandro Damião fouled Douglas Grolli in the area and Willian José scored from the spot.

It was not enough for Grêmio though and it is Inter who go through to the semi-final of the Gaúchão where they will face Esportivo.


 

Results:

Internacional 2 Grêmio 1

Lajeadense 1 Esportivo 1 (Esportivo won 4-2 on penalties)

São Luiz 1 Cerâmica 0

Caxias 3 São José 0