Flamengo were close to beating Gremio away from home three weeks ago, but they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 draw. They only need to keep a clean sheet at home to advance to the Copa Libertadores’ final. On Sunday, coach Jorge Jesus rotated his players, but the team were still able to beat arch-rivals Fluminense 2-0 at home. They remain as Brazilian league leaders holding a ten-point gap over second-placed Palmeiras. In fact, Flamengo are unbeaten in their last 17 competitive matches, winning 14 and drawing three. At home, they haven’t lost any of the last 21, with 18 successes in that time.
Gremio rescued a home point after their 1-1 home draw with Flamengo thanks to Pepe’s goal in the 88th minute of the game. Last Saturday, an alternative XI lost 2-1 away at newly-promoted Fortaleza and have slid out of the Copa Libertadores spots. Renato Portaluppi’s men are now in seventh berth, just one behind sixth-placed Internacional. Gremio lost their last two matches in all competitions, but they feel confident on their latest travels: the side won three and lost two of their last five away matches.
Flamengo seem unstoppable at the moment, they were clearly the better team in the 1st leg, and should have enough to beat Gremio at home.