Gremio-Lanús live online: As it happened, goals, match-report
An 83rd minute Cicero goal broke the deadlock at the Arena do Gremio giving the Brazilian side a slight advantage going into the second leg of the Copa Libertadores 2017 final.Champions League draw 2018
It wasn't pretty and at the end it got somewhat ugly as players pushed and shoved each other as match official Julio Bascuñan appeared to lose control.
In between there was a game of football. This will not go down in the history books as a classic as Lanus almost got the 0-0 draw they clearly set out to secure.
In the end the added second half impetus employed by Gremio paid dividends with substitute Cicero latching onto a cross ball tapping home to see the Brazilian outfit go into next week's second leg with a slender advantage.
Gremio vs Lanus live online: latest news
Preview Gremio vs Lanus: Copa Libertadores 2017 final (first-leg)
It's a battle of two time winners Gremio against first time Libertadores finalists Lanus, an established power-house in Brazilian football against a mid-tanking side from a city to the south-west of Buenos Aires, there's also the small matter of another Brazil vs. Argentina footballing duel set to be played out over two legs. An intriguing match-up in many ways.
Gremio
Renato Gaúcho, coach of "El tri-color" rested many key players in last week's domestic defeat to Santos with the Porto Alegre side currently second in Brazil's Serie A with the title already having been sewn up by Corinthians.
"This is the game of the player's lives" he claimed sitting alongside defender Pedro Geromel, adding that "we're ready in a sporting capacity and it's now time to work on the psychological aspect, but we are driven and mentally strong".
The cutting edge threat for Gremio comes from Paraguayan international striker Lucas Barrios who is now forging ahead after forward partner Pedro Rocha moved to the Russian league. Gremio dispatched Ecuadorian side SC Barcelona in the two legged semi-final with a 3-0 home win in the first leg ensuring a relatively placid game in Guayaquil. The Brazilian outfit start as clear favourites but after Lanus' elimination of powerhouse River Plate, Gaucho will certainly not be underestimating his rivals.
Possible XI: Gremio: Marcelo Grohe - Edílson, Pedro Geromel, Kannemann, Bruno Cortez, Jailson, Arthur, Ramiro, Luan, Fernandinho and Lucas Barrios. coach: Renato Gaúcho.
Lanus
Local Argentine press claim of a "festive atmosphere" in the city of Lanús, with optimism that their local side will make history with the return leg which will be staged at the Estadio La Fortaleza next week.
Unlike Renato Gaúcho, Lanus boss Jorge Almirón has already confirmed his starting XI and will play the same side that overcame River Plate in the semifinal. The men in burgundy trained in Porto Alegre normally yesterday after the previous fuss about the Gremio drone the previous day.
A 3-0 defeat in the domestic league at the weekend has done little to dilute the enthusiasm around the club with many of the key regulars being rested ahead of tonight's first leg.
"Lanús have being doing the right thing for some time now and for many us qualifying for the final has come as a surprise to many observers. This will work in our favour" claimed striker Lautaro Acosta speaking to Brazilian media on Monday.
Lanús XI: Esteban Andrada - José Luis Gómez, Rolando García Guerreño, Diego Braghieri, Maximiliano Velázquez, Román Martínez, Iván José Marcone, Nicolás Pasquini, Alejandro Silva, José Sand, Lautaro Acosta. coach: Jorge Almirón.
Gremio vs Lanus: Copa Libertadores 2017 final: selected betting odds
Fancy the Brazilian side to be ahead at the break and Lanus to emerge victorious? A long shot perhaps and currently on offer at a price of 67/1.
Place your bet on Gremio-Lanus
