Grêmio’s last Beira-Rio title was predicted from the bench, ex-players reveal | OneFootball

Twenty years on from a title-clinching draw at Beira-Rio in 2006, Grêmio could repeat the feat on Sunday, the date of this year’s second Gauchão final. Memories of that day mix tactics, pressure and a prediction from the bench.

According to Globo.com, Internacional were overwhelming favourites that season, the first leg at the Olímpico ended 0-0, unlike 2026’s 3-0. A scoring draw in the return would hand Grêmio the trophy under the old away-goals rule.

Mano Menezes leaned on detail and psychology. He fielded two right-backs in the first game, Patrício and Alessandro, then two left-backs in the second, Escalona and Wellington, which the players believed unsettled Abel Braga, and he pinned up press cuttings to fuel belief. Senior heads also guided 19-year-olds Lucas Leiva and Marcelo Grohe.

Seventeen days earlier, Pedro Júnior had struck the post with Grêmio’s sixth penalty as 15 de Novembro of Campo Bom advanced in the Copa do Brasil. Captain Jeovânio told him setbacks can shape what comes next.

The second leg was tight, Inter pushed without carving much until Fernandão struck 12 minutes into the second half.

While warming up, Marcelo Lipatín told team-mates the goal was no bad thing, predicting a substitute would enter and score the decisive one. Moments later, at 16 minutes of the half, Mano sent on Pedro Júnior.

The youngster soon won a free-kick, Marcelo delivered, and Pedro Júnior’s header levelled and sealed the crown. It was only the second Grêmio title at Beira-Rio, the other coming in the 1980 Gauchão after a 0-0 in the final hexagonal.

Source: Globo.com