Players celebrate the title won in advance

Colorados, shout out loud: we are the champions!!! Internacional won the Farroupilha Cup on Sunday afternoon at Centenario Stadium and became three-time Rio Grande do Sul State champion. Inter had a goalless draw with Juventude during regular time, but won 4-3 at penalty shoot-outs, when Muriel’s star shone.

The title was won in advance, as the colorado team had won the Piratini Cup, the state championship’s first stage. Inter will play again on May 15 against Santa Cruz, in the return leg of the Brazilian Cup.

A balanced first half

Having the same starting lineup for the third time in a row, Inter relied on tactical balance and team work to beat Juventude. The colorado team tried to impose itself since the beginning, keeping ball possession in the opponent’s half.

In the 8th minute, D’Alessandro found Fred between the defenders, but his shot was deflected to corner kick. Juventude slowly changed its positioning and took some danger to Inter’s goal. In the 11th minute, Diogo headed to the net after a corner kick, but the goal was not validated because the midfielder had committed a foul on Williams before the ball was sent to the net. In the 16th minute, Bergson struck a long shot for Muriel’s easy save. In the 19th minute, Bergson crossed from the left and Zulu did not head the ball because he arrived one second too late to the six-yard box.

Despite having greater ball possession, Inter could not overcome the strong marking imposed by the opponent and had difficulties to get to their box. Due to that, Inter barely had a chance to struck a shot on goal in the first half.

Juan in action in the State Championship second stage’s final

Colorado pressure

In the second half, Inter went all attack. In the 2nd minute, Fred struck a finesse shot, but Fernando saved it without a problem. A minute later, Juventude hit back strong: after a free kick, Zulu struck a loose ball from inside the box, and Muriel made a sensational save. In the 10th minute, Damião tried to head a cross, but he bumped into the goalkeeper.

Cheered up by the supporters, Inter intensified the pressure to find the winning goal in the last 15 minutes, but it was very hard to break through Juventude's well positioned defense. In the 28th minute, Damião suffered an injury and was replaced by Caio.

In the 29th minute, Fabrício struck a header and Fernando made a providential save to send it to corner kick. A minute later, Fred struck a volley from the entrance of the penalty box, and once again the Juventude’s goalkeeper made a great save. In the 34th minute, D’Alessandro took a free-kick and Fernando prevented the goal with another save. In the 45th minute, Caio was free in the six-yard box and headed the ball past the right post, wasting a great chance.

Penalty shoot-outs

Despite Inter’s persistence in normal time, the final had to be decided in the penalty shoot-outs. D’Alessandro took the first penalty and Fernando saved it. Zulu converted his spot-kick for Juventude. Juan equalized for Inter: 1-1. Robinho put the team from Caxias ahead: 2-1. Forlán leveled the score. Rogerinho took the third spot-kick and it hit the crossbar. Fabrício converted and put Inter ahead: 3-2. Diogo equalized in the fourth spot-kick. Caio scored in the fifth attempt: Inter 4-3. Moisés took the last spot-kick for Juventude and Muriel leaped to the right hand corner to save it and secure the title!!! Final score: 4-3!!!

Muriel saved Juventude’s final spot-kick

Wearing the commemorative shirts with number 42 on the back (alluding to the number of state titles won by Colorado), the players took the stage set up by the Soccer Association of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, where the Farroupilha Cup and Rio Grande do Sul State Championship’s trophies were given to the champions.

D’Alessandro intensely celebrated another title won playing for the colorado

After that, everyone went to celebrate with the crowd. Captain D’Alessandro was one of the most excited players: he took the trophy to the fans, climbed the fence and even gave his shirt to a thrilled supporter.

“I’m really glad with this title. We deserved to win it," said Forlán, top goal scorer for the competition with nine goals.

“I’ve been in many finals for Inter. I'm very proud of playing here,” said Leandro Damião.

“After what happened last year, being crowned with this first title makes me very happy,” celebrated Gabriel.

“We have a very competitive group. I respect every player, treat them equally, but the decision of who will play is up to the coach," said Dunga.

“This was the mission. We had a title to win in the first semester and we pursued it single-mindedly. Now we have other goals, such as the Brazilian Cup," stated Luís César Souto de Moura, football director.

“We have always been focused on the competition. The title honors those who took the championship seriously,” said Marcelo Medeiros, football director.

Technical Information:

Internacional (0)(4): Muriel; Gabriel, Moledo, Juan e Fabrício; Willians, Airton, Fred e D'Alessandro; Forlán e Leandro Damião (Caio, aos 28min do 2º tempo). Coach: Dunga.

Juventude (0)(3): Fernando; Moisés, Rafael Pereira, Diogo (Romano) e Robinho; Jardel, Gustavo (Dê), Fabrício e Diogo Oliveira; Bergson (Rogerinho) e Zulu. Coach: Lisca.

Yellow Cards: Gabriel (I); Robinho, Bergson, Jardel (J).

Attendance: 18.314 (16.077 pagantes). Income: R$ 656.724,00.

Refereeing: Márcio Chagas da Silva, auxiliado por Altemir Hausmann e Júlio César Santos.

Venue: Estádio Centenário, em Caxias do Sul.