Inadequacies of the full-backs, vulnerable defense and lack of creativity: it only took one match in the World Cup, a draw snatched on Saturday in Morocco (1-1), for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil to confirm fears about its ability to win the United States a sixth world title.
Both the coach and his star striker Vinicius Jr, who scored the equalizer, recognized that the Seleçao absolutely had to improve if they wanted to have a chance of lifting the cup which has eluded them since 2002.
However, after this entry into contention against the semi-finalist of the 2022 edition, Ancelotti insists on the need to keep a cool head, especially as the next match, against the more modest Haiti on June 20, should allow his players to get back on track.
“We cannot imagine that the team will be perfect from the first match. A World Cup is not won in the first match,” noted the Italian coach of Brazil. But this first match highlighted the three weak points that the Seleçao absolutely must improve if it wants to go far – or even to the end – in the competition.
Lack of full-backs
Already in March, Ancelotti recognized that Brazil could no longer rely on exceptional attacking full-backs, like Roberto Carlos or Carlos Alberto, who had helped to shape the Seleçao’s game for decades.
Wesley, the right back of AS Roma, has the profile, but he was injured just before the World Cup. And Brazil can only count on two professional full-backs, Douglas and Alex Sandro, who play on the left.
On the right, Ancelotti must trust Danilo, who plays in central defense at Flamengo, and two other left-footers, Bremer and Ibanez, whose profile is clearly defensive.
Ibanez started against Morocco, but his performance did not satisfy Ancelotti, who replaced him with Danilo at the start of the second half.
“We have to adapt to the players we have,” Vinicius Jr. commented.
Cracks in the defense
Since Ancelotti took charge a year ago, the Seleçao have conceded 12 goals in 13 matches and their goalkeeper has lost at least once in the last six meetings.
On Saturday, Brahim Diaz took advantage of a poor recovery from Lucas Paqueta and lax marking in midfield to take advantage of the hinge made up of Marquinhos and Gabriel and slip a pass to Ismael Saibari who opened the scoring.
These defensive shortcomings are surprising but reversible since the intrinsic quality of Brazil’s defensive midfielders is recognized: Casemiro had a great season with Manchester United and Bruno Guimaraes proved indispensable to Newcastle.
“We could have controlled the match better,” lamented Casemiro. We lost the ball too often in midfield.”
An environment without imagination
Since the qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Seleçao has been clearly dependent on Neymar.
However, he has been injured since mid-May and far from his best level in years. So much so that the offensive animation falls to Lucas Paqueta. However, this weight is clearly heavy to bear for the Flamengo midfielder.
On Saturday, Vinicius Jr took this responsibility upon himself with a certain happiness. But its role in selection is more finishing than creating, in order to be able to take full advantage of its primary qualities, speed and percussion.
“We should have created more play,” admitted midfielder Fabinho. I think that by putting more intensity (in the second half) we managed to create more chances and spaces.”
