São Paulo continued its strong start to the Brasileirão season, defeating Grêmio 2-0 at the Morumbis stadium. Goals from Lucas Moura, via a penalty and Jonathan Calleri secured the victory, propelling São Paulo to the top of the league table – at least provisionally.
The win marks São Paulo’s third consecutive victory in the Brasileirão, bringing their point total to seven. They share that total with Bahia, but hold the lead on goal difference (3-2). Grêmio, meanwhile, remains on three points and sits in 12th place.
The match wasn’t without its contentious moments. São Paulo debuted their new, and reportedly controversial, first kit for the season. More significantly, Grêmio’s Wagner Leonardo received a red card early in the second half, severely hampering their ability to respond.
Lucas Moura opened the scoring in the 21st minute, converting a penalty awarded after a foul on Danielzinho. Calleri extended the lead shortly after the restart, capitalizing on the man advantage. A previous goal from Calleri in the first half was disallowed for offside.
Grêmio struggled to find any rhythm throughout the match. Their attack, led by Carlos Vinícius, was largely stifled by a dominant São Paulo defense. The team’s overall performance was widely criticized, with several players receiving low ratings from local media.
Weverton, Grêmio’s goalkeeper, received a rating of 6, having conceded both goals, including the penalty. Defenders João Pedro (4) and Balbuena (4) were singled out for their struggles, described as being “too slow” to effectively contain São Paulo’s attackers. Wagner Leonardo’s performance was particularly damning, earning a 2.5 rating and marked by his expulsion from the game.
Midfielders Arthur (5) and Edenilson (3) also underperformed, with Edenilson being substituted before halftime. Tetê (4.5) and Amuzu (5) failed to make a significant impact on the wings, while Carlos Vinícius (5) was largely isolated up front due to a lack of service.
Grêmio coach Luís Castro also came under scrutiny, receiving a rating of 4 for his tactical approach, which was reportedly outmaneuvered by São Paulo’s Hernán Crespo. Castro’s substitutions were also criticized for failing to alter the course of the game.
The result sets up an interesting dynamic at the top of the Brasileirão table. Red Bull Bragantino has the opportunity to overtake São Paulo and reclaim the lead when they face Corinthians on . Athletico-PR also remains undefeated, though they have played fewer games due to a postponed match against Corinthians.
Looking ahead, Grêmio will turn their attention to the Campeonato Gaúcho, where they will host Juventude in the first leg of the semi-finals on . São Paulo will face Ponte Preta in the final match of the first phase of the Paulistão on the same day.
São Paulo’s victory is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time since 2019 they have reached seven points after three rounds of the Brasileirão. The team’s strong start suggests a potential challenge for the title this season, though consistency will be key.
However, the win wasn’t without a potential setback. São Paulo’s Bobadilla left the field with apparent muscle soreness, raising concerns about a possible injury. The club experienced a significant injury crisis last year, and losing Bobadilla could be a blow to their squad depth.
For Grêmio, the defeat highlights the need for improvement across the board. The team’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed, and their attack lacked creativity, and penetration. Castro will need to address these issues quickly if Grêmio hopes to climb the table and compete for a spot in the Copa Sudamericana.
Substitutes Willian (4.5) and Gustavo Martins (4) also received unfavorable ratings following their appearances. Enamorado (5) managed to draw some fouls, while André Henrique (5) missed a late opportunity. Pavon, who entered the game as an improvised right-back, was not given a rating.
