29 May 2009
By Yahimi Pacheco, Caracas FC Press



History repeated itself on Wednesday night when Caracas FC drew with a Brazilian side – this time 1-1 with Gremio at the UCV’s Olympic stadium in the first leg of their Copa Santander Libertadores quarterfinal.

With a packed crowd already inside the ground and hundreds more trying to get in to see the game, the Reds came onto the pitch early to have a look at the ground before returning to the changing rooms for a last minute pep talk to get their big night underway.

And what a dream start it was for them as they surprisingly scored after just two minutes.



Jose Manuel Rey crossed from a free kick for Gabriel Cichero to head home with the whole stadium cheering to the rafters.

However on 16 minutes, trouble brewed for the Reds when Emilio Renteria suffered an injury to his right leg and had to be replaced by Rodrigo Prieto.

In the 26th minute, the Brazilians threatened really for the first time when Jonas charged down the left in combination with Maxi Lopez but Renny Vega, despite an alarm bell or two, managed to clear the ball.



On 30 minutes another Rey free kick found the Reds’ top first half player Gabriel Cichero who turned and shot close to goalkeeper Victor only for the ball to be blocked by defenders in the area.

Three minutes later Dario Figueroa found Cichero who this time shot only to see Victor save what would have been a second goal for the Reds.

Gremio struggled in the first half as Caracas showed their footballing ability, endangering the Brazilian defence on more than one occasion.

At the end of the half, Deivis Barone might have added another but was ruled offside.



The second half began with the Reds continuing to steamroll leaving Gremio with little space in which to work.

However on 62 minutes, Fabio Santos had the home fans holding their breath as his effort almost beat Vega.

As the game wore on, the Reds began to feel the pressure as the Brazilians got more into the match and in the 73rd minute Souza’s free kick smashed against the post.

Three minutes later Gremio’s best player, Fabio Santos, got the equaliser scoring with the Reds defence losing focus at the vital moment and unable to prevent the visitors returning to Brazil with the advantage of an away goal.

Overall Caracas had chances to win and must now go to Porto Alegre on June 17 and play their hearts out in a bid to reach the semi-final.

Meanwhile, the Reds take on Deportivo Italia, this Sunday in the second leg decider at the Olympic stadium to find out this season’s Venezuelan league champions.

The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw with Italia the away side meaning that the Reds must at least score a goal in the second leg. Both teams share the same stadium.  

Kick off is at 4pm as Caracas chase what would be a 10th national championship.