Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti said his side are progressing after a 3-0 win over Scotland, calling it “the objective” and adding, “Now we are playing as a team.” The victory was described as their best game of the World Cup and arguably the best since Ancelotti arrived in Rio de Janeiro some 13 months ago, according to the report.
The report notes that improvement stemmed from the team executing concepts Ancelotti has emphasised from the start. He has argued against a distinct, predictable identity for the side, preferring a group that can do different things and interpret matches as required.
That versatility was evident against Scotland. Opponents enjoyed slightly more first-half possession at times because Ancelotti sometimes wants his team to drop deep, yet the two first-half goals — and a third that was disallowed — arrived from a high press that forced Scotland into mistakes when playing out from the back. The high press also produced both goals in Brazil’s win over Egypt in their final warmup match. By contrast, the report recalls Brazil’s World Cup opener against Morocco, when the team fell behind after being badly positioned to deal with a quick break.
Ancelotti has also stressed the need for balance. He recalled that his assessment of the team after a 4-1 defeat to Argentina under the previous coach was “No balance. Talent, but no balance.” Supplying that balance to allow Brazil’s talent to flourish is presented as his central task, complicated by the side’s reliance on wide players, particularly Vinícius Júnior.
Squad composition and tactical tweaks have been part of the challenge. Ancelotti initially favoured a front four, leaving only two central midfielders — one being the 34-year-old Casemiro — and the report says Brazil’s first half against Panama illustrated the danger of being outnumbered in midfield. After right back Wesley was injured and replaced by Manchester United midfielder Éderson, Ancelotti lost an attacking right back option. The manager’s preferred 4-4-2 demands wide players work back, but Vinícius is expected to remain close to goal, requiring another forward to drop to cover the left. Matheus Cunha was intended for that role; his omission from the opener was called “such a surprise — and a mistake,” and the inclusion of Igor Thiago left Brazil short of cover behind Vinícius, according to the report.
