Despite losing out in the title race to Fluminense and getting knocked out of the Copa Sul-Americana last week, their is a sense of acheivement at Grêmio for what they have accomplished this season, and coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo is keen for them to finish the season with two victories to secure second place and direct entry into the 2013 Copa Libertadores.
He told Globo Esporte: “My aim, after conversation’s with president Paulo Odone, was to restore the magic of Grêmio. Having committed player’s who are capable of turning games and getting results away from home and being in the Libertadores at the opening of the new Arena.
“Of course I want titles, but sometimes you can not be first. The history of football shows this. Corinthians, champions of South America, is the same team as a year earlier when they fell in the first round. Inter, our rival, under Fernando Carvalho, lost two Copa campaigns, before winning the Libertadores.”
Grêmio have two vital games left if they are to finish in second place. First, away to Figueirense, and then the big derby against Inter, which will be the last ever game at the Olímpico before they move to the new arena.
“The game against Figueirense is very important. Then it’s the Gre-Nal, the last of the stadium, and we must be very well prepared,” he added.
