Grêmio U20 won the first match in the Copinha against Mixto U20. After a very nervous start to the game, Grêmio started to dominate more and more. They set up in a 4-1-3-2 on paper, but in reality it was more often a 4-3-3 and the players changed positions very often.
Youth Ratings
1 – Ready for the first team
2 – Good, potential to be first team
3 – Decent, could make first team squad
4 – Decent potential, unlikely to make it to first team
5 – Unlikely to make first team
Cuiabano
Player profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 18
- Date of birth: 16/02/2003
- Current club: Grêmio
- Career: Grêmio
- Position: Left-Back
- Preferred foot: Left
Cuiabano started off as the left-back for Grêmio Under 20 and was one of the only players who did not seem nervous in the first few minutes of the game. He immediately asked for the ball and showed some good short passing. Often operating as the third central defender in possession, he managed to play strong, powerful passes towards the attack. The 18-year-old did well to keep the ball on the ground and this made it easier for his teammates to control the ball. Cuiabano has a good first touch and often played in a more inverted role, as he only rarely stuck close to the sideline.
The full-back had quick feet, even though he seemed to have a strong build. He managed to hold off opponents well, using his body well and keeping the opponent away from the ball. Cuiabano looked skilful in the tight spaces and showed great ball control when evading pressure. The youngster made some good runs in behind, but failed to stay composed in the final third and his crosses were quite wild. He should take more time to pick out a pass and be more composed when executing the pass. In the second half, Cuiabano saw less of the ball as Grêmio’s attacks mainly came through the right flank.
Defensively, Cuiabano did not have much to do, but he looked physically strong in the duels and managed to win most of his duels. He did well to use his long legs to recover possession. His acceleration and pace over long distance were good and he completed the full 90 minutes.
Rating – 2
I think he is ready to play in Serie B with Grêmio, but he needs to work on his ability in the final third. His crosses need to be better and he needs to be more composed in the final third. I think they should let Cuiabano play in a more attacking role in the B team to help him improve his ability in the final third.
Lucas Kawan
Player profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 18
- Date of birth: 14/02/2003
- Current club: Grêmio
- Career: Grêmio
- Position: Right-Back
- Preferred foot: Right
Lucas Kawan played as a right-back in the first match of the 2022 edition of the Copinha tournament. The right-back started off very nervous in the match, often giving away the ball and not being accurate in his long passes. However, after about 30 minutes, Lucas Kawan managed to overcome the nerves and he started to play a lot better. The right-back managed to make good overlapping runs and his timing was great. He got into good areas and received the ball a lot, but his crosses often looked a bit wild. The crosses often went over all his teammates and he did not look over the ball before crossing.
In the last few minutes of the first half, he got a lot of time on the ball on the right-wing and managed to complete his first cross of the game. That cross landed on the head of Kauan Kelvin, who finished the chance off very well. In the second half, Lucas Kawan got more involved in the game, but despite getting into good areas with his runs he failed to complete more crosses. He showed that he is a very good duo with Rubens, who often tucked inside to make space for Lucas Kawan. Lucas Kawan also got a pre-assist after showing good close control in the tight spaces and passing it to Ronald.
Defensively, Lucas Kawan did not have much to do but he liked to step out of the defensive line and defend positively. It will be interesting to see how this will go against better sides and if he chooses the right moments to step out of the defensive line.
Rating – 2
I am yet to see his defensive ability, but his attacking ability looked good apart from his crossing. However, that is a very trainable aspect and his attacking vision (making runs in behind) is a great asset to his playing style.
Kauan Kelvin
Player profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 16
- Date of birth: 21/01/2005
- Current club: Grêmio
- Career: Grêmio
- Position: Winger
- Preferred foot: Right
The youngest player of Grêmio only played about 60 minutes in this match and managed to score a goal at the end of the first half. He, on paper, played as a striker next to Kevin, but in reality he was often operating behind Kevin as the left central midfielder. Kauan Kelvin roamed around the pitch a lot and never really stayed in the same position. On the ball, he looked really nervous in the first 25 minutes. He had a bad first touch under pressure and turned into pressure a few times instead of turning away from the pressure.
However, after he overcame his nerves he showed that he is actually very good technically and his first touch was immediately a lot better. He dropped deep to see more of the ball and could turn on the ball very quickly. Kauan Kelvin did not use this to get past his opponent, but with more confidence and experience he could dribble past his opponents in the first phase of the build up more as he has good acceleration, close control and agility. At the end of the first half, Kauan Kelvin arrived into the box at the right time and managed to score a header after a good cross from Lucas Kawan.
Rating – 2
I am not sure yet what his best position is, he showed some characteristics of a good future #8 but I am interested to see him playing as a left winger too. At the age of 16 he still has time to find out what his best position is and to develop.
Rubens
Player profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 18
- Date of birth: 28/03/2003
- Current club: Grêmio
- Career: Grêmio
- Position: Right Winger
- Preferred foot: Left
Rubens played as a right-winger in the match against Mixto. The left-footed winger was not involved in the game at all in the first 15 minutes of the game, but after that, he got more involved in the game and he was my man of the match. Rubens impressed with his spatial awareness. Not only did he time his own runs well, he also made a lot of space for Lucas Kawan by tucking inside at the right times. Rubens was very skilful in the tight spaces and showed great close control. He also showed good determination to keep in possession when he was close to losing the ball.
I liked Rubens the most when he stuck close to the sideline, providing width for Grêmio. When he received the ball while sticking close to the sideline, he would carry the ball inside and drag his opponent out of position, opening up space for Lucas Kawan on the right wing. This also led to the first goal for Grêmio, as he passed it to Lucas Kawan after carrying the ball inside. Rubens also opened up passing lanes in the half-space for Gustavo Martins (RCB) at the right time.
The winger made a lot of runs in behind and timed these runs well. The referee flagged for offside once, but Rubens was not offside and timed his run well. His shooting from distance was quite wild and he should have stayed more composed. Rubens was more composed when he had a big chance that he created himself. However, he failed to aim the ball to the far post and the goalkeeper managed to make a save quite easily as the shot went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Overall, Rubens spatial awareness and technical ability stood out the most in this match and it will be interesting to keep an eye out for him throughout the tournament.
Rating – 1
I think he should go straight into the first team, but it will be hard for him to compete with Douglas Costa.
Gustavo Martins
Player profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 19
- Date of birth: 11/08/2002
- Current club: Grêmio
- Career: Caxias-RS (L), Grêmio
- Position: Central Defender
- Preferred foot: Right
Gustavo Martins played as a right central defender and formed a solid duo with Gustavo Marins. Gustavo Martins looked comfortable on the ball and often found a midfielder or Rubens with a good, powerful pass. His short passing was accurate and consistent. Martins’s technical ability was good, showing good ball control and having a great first touch. There was one situation in which he played two great first-time passes where Grêmio managed to progress the ball further up the pitch thanks to Gustavo Martins.
Defensively, Gustavo Martins impressed a lot. First of all, he closed gaps towards the wing really well when Gustavo Marins missed the interception. He showed great recovery speed and acceleration. Gustavo Martins also showed great determination when he managed to prevent Mixto from scoring after making a very good last-ditch tackle. He won most of his defensive duels and did well to keep his opponent in front of him. Gustavo Martins, especially in the beginning, did not take any unnecessary risks.
Rating – 1
Based on this performance, he is ready for the first team of Grêmio, but I need to watch more of him.