Mystery surrounds Grêmio on the eve of the second leg of the Gauchão semifinal against Juventude. According to GZH, the club has not yet confirmed whether they will be able to count on midfielder Monsalve for the decisive match at Estádio Alfredo Jaconi.
The player, seen as an important piece, has been under the care of the medical department since early February due to a muscle injury in his left thigh. So far, the Colombian has not participated in ball training. His presence depends on the progress he shows starting from the team's return, scheduled for this Wednesday (18).
The vice president of football, Antonio Dutra Júnior, avoided guaranteeing the athlete's return, maintaining the strategy of not revealing their hand too soon. "A lot can happen during the week regarding player availability," stated the official.
Meanwhile, coach Luís Castro emphasized after the last game the focus on recovering unavailable players to strengthen the group in the Serra.
The year 2026 has been complicated for Monsalve. The midfielder has played in only two matches:
- After treating a ligament injury in his ankle from 2025, he debuted on January 31 precisely against Juventude, scoring a stunning goal from outside the area.
- He secured a starting position against Botafogo in the Brasileirão but left at halftime with the muscle injury that has sidelined him until now.
As the first leg of the semifinal ended in a draw, Grêmio needs a win to secure a spot in regulation time. Another draw would take the decision to penalties.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.