Six months into his tenure as coach of the Brazilian national team, Carlo Ancelotti already has the chance to claim a piece of Seleção history.
That may seem strange, given the criticism the Italian has received following recent defeats against Bolivia and Japan. But if Ancelotti can guide his team to victory over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, it will be Brazil’s first-ever victory over West Africa, leaving Norway the only country the five-time World Cup winners have faced without defeat.
Admittedly, this wouldn’t be the biggest claim to fame for a manager whose glittering run of honors includes five European Cups and league titles in each of the five major European leagues. Still, it would be a start, a step toward tilting Brazil to an elusive level hexaand the 66-year-old has emphasized the value of incremental progress.
“We have to keep learning and improving to be ready for the World Cup,” said Ancelotti, who has won three and drawn one of his six matches. “I’m happy with what we’ve done so far, but we’re also aware of the mistakes we’ve made. Because now you can make mistakes, but if you make a mistake at the World Cup, you go home.”
Eliminating flaws has been Ancelotti’s job from day one. The foundation for next summer’s World Cup challenge was laid within a month of his appointment in May, when his reign began with a goalless draw against Ecuador, followed by a 1-0 win over Paraguay in São Paulo that secured qualification.
Brazil’s checkered World Cup qualifying campaign
Despite the smiles that followed led by goalscorer Vinícius Júnior and Neymar, there was little to celebrate. In a group from which it was more difficult not to qualify, with the top six of the ten teams guaranteed a World Cup place and a seventh advancing to an intercontinental play-off tournament, Brazil finished fifth. A 1-0 defeat to Bolivia in the next match left Ancelotti’s men with a miserable final tally of 28 points from 18 matches. Although the damage predated the arrival of the new manager, it remained the worst qualifying campaign in the country’s history.
Despite the shock friendly defeat to Japan in Tokyo last month, in which Brazil, two goals too good at half-time, collapsed in the second half, there is hope of better times ahead. As might be expected, Ancelotti’s squad is packed with talent, not least from the Premier League. Arsenal defender Gabriel, Casemiro and Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha, Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, Chelsea duo Andrey Santos and Estêvão Willian and West Ham striker Lucas Paquetá could all feature against Senegal.
That’s before we even get to a Real Madrid contingent that includes Vinícius, Rodrygo and Éder Militão, or former Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, now of Fenerbahçe, who is expected to get at least 45 minutes between the sticks. Ancelotti’s hand will be further strengthened once Liverpool stopper Alisson and Monaco right-back Vanderson return from injury. A shortage of players is not Brazil’s problem; The competition for places is brutal.
Why Brazil will use Éder Militão as right back against Senegal
Nevertheless, the immediate area of focus for Ancelotti is to strengthen a defense that had conceded just one goal in five games before capitulating to Japan, with Militão expected to start at right-back.
“The defense played a key role in Brazil’s last victories,” said Ancelotti, harking back to the two most recent of the country’s five World Cup victories, in 1994 and 2002. “A team with fantastic individuality, who enjoyed the game but knew how not to be pushed back.
“I think for the World Cup, a solid defense will help quality players make the difference. Militão has a different profile than other right-backs. I’m going to ask for something different in terms of quality and playing style.”
“It is an option that we can use at the World Cup to give the team more strength at the back. We conceded three goals against Japan, [but] We have assessed our mistakes and we will try to improve in that area to play a good match.”
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