Deportivo Riestra vs Grêmio – News and Probable Lineups

Gremio begins the latter half of the Copa Sudamericana group stages with an away match against Deportivo Riestra in Argentina on Tuesday, within Group F.

Both teams currently have four points from three games, making a victory at the Estadio Pedro Bidegain vital for their qualification hopes.

The Brazilian side has faced challenges in their attacking play, coming off a draw against the bottom team, Palestino, in Chile during their last continental match. Meanwhile, Riestra secured a home win against Montevideo Torque, keeping their hopes alive for a direct advancement to the round of 16.

Match overview

Riestra marked a historic moment during the previous Sudamericana matchday, achieving their first-ever European victory in a 95-year lineage.

This came about with a win over Montevideo Torque at the Pedro Bidegain Stadium, marking their first three points in the Copa Sudamericana.

It was not an easy match; the Uruguayans took the lead early in the 19th minute with a goal from Facundo Silvera.

An unexpected hero showed up for Riestra: center-back Juan Cruz Randazzo found the net twice off rebounds in the first half to change the game’s dynamics.

This result keeps Riestra competitive for a top-two finish, especially after they kicked off their campaign with a draw against Palestino and a loss to Gremio. In Brazil, the initial match was a scrappy contest with minimal chances, but Francis Amuzu scored in the 87th minute to secure a victory for the Tricolor.

Last Saturday, the Blanquinegros completed their Torneo Apertura season with a scoreless draw against Lanus. Their first phase in the Argentine league was disappointing, recording just one triumph out of 15 matches, positioning them at the bottom of Group B.

For the next month, Riestra’s focus will be exclusively on the Copa Sudamericana, as only matches in that tournament are scheduled. Head coach Gustavo Oscar Benitez now has the opportunity to refine the team’s tactical approach and pursue positive results, beginning with just the second meeting in club history against Gremio.

Amidst juggling three tournaments, Gremio enters Argentina with concerns over their attacking inefficiency, having failed to find the net in six out of their last nine fixtures. Once again, they played to a scoreless stalemate on Saturday against Athletico Paranaense in the Brasileirao.

With a depleted squad, Gremio set up with a back three, managing seven attempts—none of which were on target. Despite this, assistant coach Vitor Severino remarked that there were signs of improvement compared to past performances.

The draw leaves Tricolor Gaucho in 14th place on the table, with 17 points and a negative goal difference, having scored 15 while conceding 16.

The journey to Buenos Aires presents an opportunity to break their poor away form in 2026: two victories from 14 road matches, alongside six losses and six draws.

In their last Sudamericana game, they drew 0-0 in Chile against Palestino after Carlos Vinicius missed three penalty opportunities. The pressure mounts for Luis Castro to deliver a strong showing as he continues to aim for consistency.

Only four days separate this fixture from a match against Flamengo in the Brasileirao, which ignites a sequence of seven games within 20 days across all competitions. This schedule amplifies the urgency to claim a victory at the Pedro Bidegain and prevent complications later on in the group phase.

Team News

Deportivo Riestra boasts a fully fit squad available for the match on Tuesday, with no players currently sidelined.

Even though they have been knocked out of the Torneo Apertura, Guillermo Duro primarily fielded his first-choice eleven on Saturday, with only minor adjustments. Gabriel Obredor, Rodrigo Sayavedra, and Yonatan Goitia are expected to return to the starting lineup.

Luis Castro faces a selection dilemma regarding Gremio’s starting XI due to multiple injuries. Arthur will miss out, along with Amuzu (bone edema), Joao Pedro (ankle fracture), and Marlon (fractured tibia and fibula).

An additional worry is midfielder Nardoni, who experienced discomfort in Parana and will be assessed before the trip. On a positive note, both Carlos Vinicius and Viery return from suspension and are eligible for selection.

A tactical consideration arises: the return of this pair might prompt Gremio to revert to a four-man defense.

Deportivo Riestra probable starting XI:

Arce; Stringa, Mino, Randazzo, Gallo, Sayavedra; Flores, Goitia, Watson; Obredor, Smarra

Gremio probable starting XI:

Weverton; Pavon, Martins, Viery, Gabriel; Noriega, Nardoni, Mec; Tete, Enamorado, Vinicius

This match features two teams with notably low conversion rates in their attacks. Throughout their last ten games, both teams have averaged merely 0.5 goals per game.

Ninety percent of Riestra’s recent encounters have concluded with fewer than 2.5 total goals. This trend suggests a low-scoring battle, potentially favoring Gremio if Carlos Vinicius can find his scoring form.