New boss, old problems: Five World Cup tests for Ancelotti as Brazil's first foreign coach in 50 years
SAO PAULO, June 4 — After a warm welcome to Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti, the Selecao's first foreign coach in more than 50 years, is on a mission to fix a stuttering team and win back fans which starts on Thursday against Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier.
The 65-year-old Italian led his first training session on Monday in Guayaquil, Ecuador, ahead of what should be his first match, if his move from Real Madrid passes scrutiny by football's governing body FIFA.
AFP identifies five issues Ancelotti faces:
Qualify!
'The only goal is to win the 2026 World Cup,' said Ancelotti when he took the job. First he has to get there.
The South American group is a two-year, 18-match marathon. Brazil's campaign has included a first-ever home World Cup qualifying defeat, 1-0 at the Maracana to old enemy Argentina, part of a run of three straight defeats in 2023 that ended the coaching reign of Fernando Diniz.
Their last match was a 4-1 humiliation in Argentina in March that finished off former coach Dorival Junior. Yet the format is forgiving.
The top six in the 10-team group qualify directly for the World Cup. Brazil are fourth, six points clear of Venezuela in seventh with four matches to go.
Ecuador may be second in the group, but are only two points ahead of Brazil, who then host Paraguay, who are fifth.
Qualifying ends in September with a visit to last-place Chile and a home game against struggling Bolivia.
Find a centre forward
Brazil is still churning out dazzling attackers but the production line has stalled on No. 9s. In this century, Romario, Ronaldo and Adriano have all led the attack and banged in the goals.
The nearest player to a classic No. 9 in Ancelotti's first squad is a player he coached at Everton, Richarlison, now of Tottenham.
Yet Ancelotti has won without a central striker before. His 2024 Champions League winning side was led by two Brazilians: Vinicius Jr, who is in Ancelotti's squad, and Rodrygo, who he did not select. Ancelotti also has Raphinha of Barcelona, who was joint top scorer in this season's Champions League.
Sort out the midfield
A bigger problem might be supplying the attackers, veteran Brazilian football journalist Juca Kfouri told AFP.
With Brazil's youth academies focusing on defensive midfielders and quick wingers rather than classic creators, the Selecao faces a shortage of ideas in midfield.
In Brazil's last two outings Dorival Junior tried Bruno Guimaraes, Gerson, Andre and Joelinton in the role. None convinced.
At Madrid, Ancelotti 'had Toni Kroos as a supply line for Vini. Brazil does not have a Toni Kroos,' said sports writer Tim Vickery on his 'Brazilian Shirt Name' podcast.
Ancelotti has recalled Kroos's former Real Madrid midfield partner Casemiro, although the 33-year-old now with Manchester United is primarily a defensive player to add, the coach said, 'charisma, personality and talent.'
Find full-backs
The supply of swashbuckling fullbacks, such as Carlos Alberto, Cafu and Roberto Carlos – another hallmark of great Brazil teams – has also dried up.
Ancelotti has recalled Carlos Augusto, part of the Inter Milan team crushed in the Champions League final, and picked Flamengo duo Wesley Franca and Alex Sandro after seeing them play last week in a 1-0 victory over Venezuelan team Deportivo Tachira in the Copa Libertadores.
Win back the fans
Ancelotti needs to rebuild the bond between the team and the public. Part of the problem is that after Brazil won five World Cups playing – mostly – the 'jogo bonito' (the beautiful game), fans have little patience with mediocrity.
But many supporters have been turned off by the way the famous yellow jersey has been hijacked as a symbol by supporters of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro.
'This issue of the extreme right appropriating the jersey has distanced part of the country,' said Kfouri, adding Ancelotti called on the fans when he took the job saying, 'I hope to have the support and help of the country.' — AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
Gallardo: Mastantuono Left Too Early for Real Madrid Move
FRANCO Mastantuono's transfer to Real Madrid came too soon, while the 17-year-old was still developing and pivotal to River Plate's future, said coach Marcelo Gallardo ahead of the Argentine team's Club World Cup match against Monterrey. Gallardo acknowledged Mastantuono's departure will leave a void in his squad after the Spanish giants completed a deal worth around $45 million with River for the teenager earlier this month. For the Argentine manager, the midfielder still needed more time to grow at the club, but he acknowledged the early transfer as an understandable part of modern football. 'It's natural, we train players for the world. Everything is happening earlier, young players are leaving faster, and I understand that those are the rules of the game,' Gallardo told ESPN on Friday. 'Our sporting project for the year was with him. We have to readjust, because there are players who, by their nature, are difficult to replace. 'We knew that Mastantuono was going to leave at some point, but fans don't enjoy it that way. The market dictates the timing.' Gallardo said he's urging Mastantuono to stay focused on the tournament despite the noise around his move. 'All I want is for him to play naturally, to try to forget about everything that's going on, which is very difficult,' he said. 'I don't talk to him about where he's going to live or anything like that. I want him to play, which is what he knows how to do.' River began their Club World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, a result Gallardo described as key to easing early nerves. 'We are happy to be able to be in a competition like this, a new one,' he said. 'I'm excited about how it's going, it was essential to start with a win and get over the nerves. 'Now we're preparing for the match in Monterrey, which is a different level of difficulty.' Following Saturday's game against the Mexican team in Pasadena, River will face Champions League runners-up Inter Milan on Wednesday.
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
Filipe Luis proud of Flamengo's resilience in win against Chelsea
FRANCO Mastantuono's transfer to Real Madrid came too soon, while the 17-year-old was still developing and pivotal to River Plate's future, said coach Marcelo Gallardo ahead of the Argentine team's Club World Cup match against Monterrey. Gallardo acknowledged Mastantuono's departure will leave a void in his squad after the Spanish giants completed a deal worth around $45 million with River for the teenager earlier this month. For the Argentine manager, the midfielder still needed more time to grow at the club, but he acknowledged the early transfer as an understandable part of modern football. 'It's natural, we train players for the world. Everything is happening earlier, young players are leaving faster, and I understand that those are the rules of the game,' Gallardo told ESPN on Friday. 'Our sporting project for the year was with him. We have to readjust, because there are players who, by their nature, are difficult to replace. 'We knew that Mastantuono was going to leave at some point, but fans don't enjoy it that way. The market dictates the timing.' Gallardo said he's urging Mastantuono to stay focused on the tournament despite the noise around his move. 'All I want is for him to play naturally, to try to forget about everything that's going on, which is very difficult,' he said. 'I don't talk to him about where he's going to live or anything like that. I want him to play, which is what he knows how to do.' River began their Club World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, a result Gallardo described as key to easing early nerves. 'We are happy to be able to be in a competition like this, a new one,' he said. 'I'm excited about how it's going, it was essential to start with a win and get over the nerves. 'Now we're preparing for the match in Monterrey, which is a different level of difficulty.' Following Saturday's game against the Mexican team in Pasadena, River will face Champions League runners-up Inter Milan on Wednesday.
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Mastantuono's move to Real Madrid was premature, says River boss Gallardo
Franco Mastantuono's transfer to Real Madrid came too soon, while the 17-year-old was still developing and pivotal to River Plate's future, said coach Marcelo Gallardo ahead of the Argentine team's Club World Cup match against Monterrey. Gallardo acknowledged Mastantuono's departure will leave a void in his squad after the Spanish giants completed a deal worth around US$45 million with River for the teenager earlier this month. For the Argentine manager, the midfielder still needed more time to grow at the club, but he acknowledged the early transfer as an understandable part of modern football. "It's natural, we train players for the world. Everything is happening earlier, young players are leaving faster, and I understand that those are the rules of the game," Gallardo told ESPN on Friday. "Our sporting project for the year was with him. We have to readjust, because there are players who, by their nature, are difficult to replace. "We knew that Mastantuono was going to leave at some point, but fans don't enjoy it that way. The market dictates the timing." Gallardo said he's urging Mastantuono to stay focused on the tournament despite the noise around his move. "All I want is for him to play naturally, to try to forget about everything that's going on, which is very difficult," he said. "I don't talk to him about where he's going to live or anything like that. I want him to play, which is what he knows how to do." River began their Club World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, a result Gallardo described as key to easing early nerves. "We are happy to be able to be in a competition like this, a new one," he said. "I'm excited about how it's going, it was essential to start with a win and get over the nerves. "Now we're preparing for the match in Monterrey, which is a different level of difficulty."
