Dodi to start? Renato Portaluppi wants his 2024 mainstay back | OneFootball

Coach Renato Portaluppi wants to use the FIFA international break to assess Grêmio’s squad and make the necessary changes. In his first meetings with the squad, the manager said fitness will be crucial for the team to be in condition to avoid relegation. With that in mind, Renato is expected to give opportunities to players who had not been used much by Luis Castro.

One of the players who should get more space under the coach is midfielder Dodi. The defensive midfielder is in the final stage of recovery from a knee injury. Dodi suffered trauma to his right knee and has been sidelined for two months. The midfielder will begin his transition back to on-field work next Thursday.

The expectation is that the player will be able to train with the ball within a week. Dodi’s return could be important for Grêmio’s new phase. Renato Portaluppi is not expected to continue using three center-backs for the rest of the season. The coach intends to strengthen the midfield to give that area of the pitch more solidity.

Dodi played 57 matches in 2024

It is worth remembering that Dodi is one of Renato’s trusted players. Dodi was the player most used by Renato Gaúcho in the 2024 season, the coach’s last year at Grêmio. Out of the team’s 67 matches that season, the defensive midfielder featured in 57.

In 2025, the midfielder played in 51 matches for Grêmio. However, he has lost space in the team this season. Under Luis Castro, Dodi played only 21 matches. He was a starter in just 10 and was left out many times, failing to make the former coach’s squad list.

With Renato Gaúcho, Grêmio will have the task of avoiding relegation to Brazil’s Serie B. The team currently sits in 17th place with 29 points. Grêmio is the first team in the relegation zone, followed by Internacional with 28 points, Remo with 23, and Chapecoense with 18.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.