Grêmio reshape midfield as Gabriel Mec loses minutes amid transfer window | OneFootball

Grêmio’s tactical reset has squeezed 18-year-old Gabriel Mec since the World Cup pause, with only three appearances in seven matches, two from the bench. He has not featured in the last three despite being named in the squad.

According to Globo.com, head coach Luís Castro put Mec’s reduced minutes down to a new three-man midfield and, after Saturday’s win over São Paulo, denied any link to a possible sale. Shakhtar Donetsk’s 12 million euro offer was accepted by the club but rejected by the player.

Castro outlined Noriega screening the defence while Nardoni and Villasanti advance into opposite channels, with Noriega balancing and circulating play. He said such dynamics naturally reduce opportunities for some.

Earlier a starter in 15 games, Mec has totalled 107 minutes across his three second-half-of-year outings.

The coach now sees him competing wide against Pavon, Jovane, Amuzu and Enamorado, with the central creator role removed in the current XI.

An alternative with two holding players and a No 10 is in training. Filip Krovinovic was signed for that link role and awaits registration to debut.

In late July, it was stated that club and player would revisit a renewal if no sale happens before 2 September, and that there is no plan to leave before June 2027. A May agreement to 2031 remains unsigned.

Mec is still viewed as a leading sale candidate and has stood out from the academy since 2024, when he was linked with Chelsea at 16. In 2025 he also declined a 15 million euro Shakhtar move accepted by Grêmio.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”