Grêmio could turn to academy prospect Pedro Gabriel, 18, at left-back against Palmeiras on Thursday. This will be the Tricolor's first match after the international break, and the decision comes due to Marlon's injury and the impracticality of using loanee Caio Paulista against his parent club without paying a fee, which is not expected.

According to Globo.com, if the youngster convinces the coaching staff in training, he would make his first appearance under Luís Castro. Pedro Gabriel already has two senior outings in 2025, when he was under the guidance of Gustavo Quinteros.

This season, the full-back played seven Copinha matches, reaching the semi-final where Grêmio was defeated by Cruzeiro. His last outing in the competition was on January 21, and he scored once in the tournament, against América-RN in the round of 16.

Pedro Gabriel is currently training with Luís Castro’s squad at CT Luiz Carvalho. In the absence of Caio Paulista and Marlon, centre-back Viery is another option to fill in on the left, having covered there before.

Earlier this year, the club agreed terms to extend the player's deal from June 2026 to December 2029, though paperwork has not yet been signed and formalization is anticipated soon. Pedro Gabriel featured in the last two Copinha editions and has drawn enquiries from clubs like Atlético-MG, São Paulo, and Cruzeiro, while Flamengo were said to have signalled an offer that his agent, Pablo Bueno, chose not to pursue.