Luís Castro begins tense week at Grêmio amid fan talks, board warning and derby selection doubts | OneFootball

Luís Castro begins his most strained spell at Grêmio, opening the week in talks with organised fans after a first public warning from the hierarchy following Sunday’s Brasileirão loss to Bragantino.

According to Globo.com, training resumes on Tuesday before a decisive run, two Gre-Nais in the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals on successive Thursdays, with Chapecoense at the Arena on Sunday in between.

Since the World Cup break, Grêmio have played nine games for two wins, two draws and five defeats. The board still back the coach, citing a rebuild to explain current difficulties.

Pelaipe said that if results do not come in the next three games, decisions will be revisited. He also pointed to six recent signings, among them Krovinovic, Matheus Nascimento and Danilo Barbosa, as proof Castro has backing.

He added that the club believe in the work but have limits and expect returns across the two cup derbies and against Chapecoense.

On Monday, Castro, Pelaipe and five players held a player-led meeting with organised supporters at the Arena with club security present, bringing firm demands but no incidents after an airport protest on Sunday was avoided.

Castro has selection calls for Inter at Beira-Rio with only two days to prepare. Gustavo Martins will be assessed for a left thigh issue and Kannemann returns from suspension, while in midfield Noriega, who finished with cramp, could give way to Danilo Barbosa unless pain-free. Up front he is weighing Carlos Vinícius against Braithwaite and has also flagged competition with Matheus Nascimento, as he heads into the derby out of the Sudamericana play-offs, 15th in the league, winless away and on a 47.1% return.

Source: Globo.com

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