Grêmio remains focused for the decisive clash against Huachipato

Grêmio and Huachipato will face each other after 11 years in one of the most important games of the season for both teams. The entire staff, management and technical committee do everything they can to concentrate the players and keep them focused on the do-or-die match for Grêmio. If the team from Rio Grande do Sul qualifies first or second, they will already have a defined opponent for the next phase, as the draw for the clashes in the round of 16 of the Libertadores took place yesterday.

Decisive game for Grêmio

Grêmio is third in Group C with 6 points, behind The Strongest who are in first place with 10 points and behind Huachipato, in second place with 8 points. If Grêmio wins today's match, they will guarantee qualification for the next phase. If they draw today, they will have to decide whether or not to qualify for the last group game. And in case of defeat they will be eliminated and will compete for a place in the Sul-Americana playoff against Estudiantes.

Grêmio hasn't competed in the Libertadores for 4 years, so an early elimination today would be a huge disappointment for the fans. The years 1982 and 1990 were the only times that the tricolor was eliminated in the group stage.

_{Grêmio players training before facing Huachipato (photo: reproduction/ Instagram/ @gremio)}

Renato understands the importance of the match

Renato from Rio Grande do Sul knows the importance of getting a good result against Huachipato, the coach knows how disappointing a possible elimination would be. The tragedy facing Rio Grande do Sul, whether it wants to or not, affects Grêmio, as the team cannot play in its own stadium and the team's training was interrupted for a while due to the floods in Rio Grande do Sul. As a result, , one of the team's main motivations is to go to the field to bring joy to Grêmio fans who deal with the problems in the south of the country. “We know our responsibility, we will work to get out of there alive and decide at home”, said Renato Portaluppi, Grêmio coach.

Grêmio will go to Chile to face Huachipato. The game takes place at CAP Stadium, at 9pm Brasília time. The clash is valid for Group C of Conmebol Libertadores.

Featured photo: Grêmio training on Chilean soil before the game against Huachipato (reproduction/ Instagram/ @gremio)