Grêmio face left-back headache for Brasileirão restart after Marlon injury | OneFootball

The left-back role at Grêmio has become a concern for the Brasileirão restart on 1 April after starter Marlon sustained a right ankle fracture. Reserve Caio Paulista is also unavailable for the game with Palmeiras, as he is on loan from Palmeiras.

According to Globo.com, the club do not plan to recruit in the current state-championship window, which closes on Friday, despite Marlon's recovery being forecast at five months.

With Caio Paulista ineligible, 18-year-old Pedro Gabriel is expected to step in. He has been training with the first team in recent weeks, although he has not been formally promoted.

Grêmio intend to use Caio Paulista as the back-up for the role and to develop Pedro Gabriel, who is considered attack minded within the club. Within their youth pathway, the intention is also to fill the gap with Pedrinho, while Mayk of Novorizontino, who is contracted to Grêmio, is not expected to be recalled.

Pedro Gabriel featured twice in last year's Gauchão under Gustavo Quinteros, then returned to the under-20s and played at this year's Copa São Paulo. The Palmeiras match would be his first under Luís Castro and with the senior side in 2026, and he has renewed his contract until the end of 2030.

Defender Viery has covered at left-back before but is now a first-choice centre-back and is unlikely to be moved. Wagner Leonardo and Kannemann are other options on the left side of the defence.

Source: Globo.com