Finishing 25 points behind the leaders is never a good sign, but there were some positives to take out from 2019, even if there are some lessons that need to be learned as well.
Renato Portaluppi insisted on the need to rotate the squad and perhaps overestimated the ability of his youngsters to deliver in top flight games, all that while Flamengo was playing with side-A every 3 days without shacking.
Grêmio was still one of the most enjoyable sides to watch and surely one of the most feared ones by opponents, as confirmed by the good mark of 64 goals scores (2nd best attack). Securing a direct access to 2020’s Libertadores is still a relative success.
The 0-5 defeat to Flamengo on Libertadores’ semi-final marked the season and almost put Renato in danger. It was a clear sign of the gap between the two sides, and may lead to some adjustments on next season’s approach.
While Everton ‘Cebolinha’ was evidently the star of the team, there was as usual some young talent sprouting. Matheus Henrique is a confirmed one, having been called to main national team already. Jean Pyerre was starting to be a firm value, but bad injury ruined his season.
The tradition of feeding the main squad with players coming from youth system should be kept in 2020. The likes of Megiolaro, Patrick, Rodriguez, Ferreira, Pepê and Isaque are names to watch out in the next season or two.
