The Copa do Brasil is back. And it's back with a national classic. Flamengo and Grêmio face off today in Porto Alegre in the quarterfinals, the first chapter of a trilogy that includes two more matches in August. Next Saturday (4), also in Porto Alegre, the teams will face off again, this time in the Brazilian Championship. On the 15th, they'll meet again, this time in the Copa do Brasil, at the Maracanã, in the second leg.

There have been 12 Copa do Brasil clashes between Flamengo and Grêmio. The match is evenly matched, but we have the advantage. We have four wins, compared to their three, and five draws. Since today is the first match, let's recap some highlights from this duel in 19 years of Copa do Brasil.

1. The numbers

Of the 12 games against Tricolor Gaúcho, we won four. Two in Rio and two in Porto Alegre, at the former Olímpico Stadium. Their three victories were there. Although we have more wins, they have the advantage in eliminations, as they benefited from the away goals rule, which no longer exists.

In this match, Flamengo scored 16 goals. Romário scored three and is the top scorer for Flamengo. Djalminha and Sávio, with two each, are tied in sequence. Also scoring were Renato Carioca, Nando and Sérgio Araújo (1989); Nélio and Renato Gaúcho (1993); Lucio (1997); Caio and Fabão (1999) and Zinho (2004).

2. The Great Goal

To talk about Flamengo vs. Grêmio in the Copa do Brasil is to recall Sávio's 1995 performance at the Maracanã. The number 10 scored two stunning goals in the 2-1 victory, the first of which was a masterpiece.

It was 23 minutes into the first half when Sávio picked up the ball in midfield and "decided" to score. With quick touches, he got past the Grêmio defense and burst into the box, shooting hard to beat Danrlei. The score was open, and the fans were stunned. Relive the painting below.

In the second half, another beautiful goal. The striker received a pass from Marquinhos, beat Danrlei with a touch, and with an open goal, scored the second. In Porto Alegre, the spot didn't come, but Sávio's stunning goal sealed the opportunity.

3. Nervous Shorty

Romário scored three times in the competition's clashes against Grêmio. Once in the 1997 final and twice in the 1999 round of 21. The first game was in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, on the Wednesday afternoon of April 11st, Tiradentes Day. Romário broke the deadlock in the sixth minute of the second half. Iranildo crossed from the right, and the star player, a XNUMX-man player, dived to score the first goal. Three minutes later, he found Caio unmarked in the box to score the second.

In the return leg, Romário scored another. In the 2-2 draw at Maracanã, the shorty took the field practically straight from the airport. He had played for the Brazilian national team in Barcelona the day before and rushed to Brazil on a chartered jet. Tired? Not at all. In the second half, he beat Scheidt to the spot and headed in to make it 2-1.

The spot came with a 2-2 draw and Mengão advanced.

4. The last confrontation

The last time Flamengo and Grêmio faced off in the Copa do Brasil, in 2004, Flamengo prevailed. And it was exactly the same as today's situation. Quarterfinals, first game there, second here.

The match took place on May 12th, a cold night in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul. Grêmio was struggling, and the fans were demanding a lot, turning out in good numbers at the Olímpico. But Flamengo had a defense that worked very well, with Reginaldo, Henrique, Fabiano Eller, and Roger, as well as Julio Cesar in goal, who performed a miracle on a Claudiomiro header.

But it was star player Zinho who decided the game. The veteran player made a great play after just three minutes, sending a shot past goalkeeper Tavarelli. Afterward, Mengão held off Grêmio's momentum and brought the advantage of a draw back to Rio in the second leg. That's exactly what happened, with the 0-0 draw qualifying the Mais Querido to advance in the competition.