Grêmio manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo has criticised striker Marcelo Moreno over his red card during the club’s 2-2 draw with Figueirense, when the Bolivian was sent-off within 30 seconds of entering the pitch.
Moreno, 25, was dismissed after throwing an elbow at Fluminense goalscorer Rafael Sobis, throwing the visitor’s plans of a comeback into disarray.
They would eventually draw level in the 85th minute through veteran midfielder Zé Roberto, perhaps tempering the fury of Luxemburgo, as the manager suggested that Moreno should not be blamed too much for his moment of madness:
“We have to condemn it, because this is never the right attitude,” Luxemburgo told reporters. “But we cannot blame him, I cannot so as not to end his Grêmio career over a 30 second incident.
“He is a player who has helped us on several occasions. I spoke with him in the changing room and I will tell the board that his attitude requires punishment, but not blame.”
