Five challenges Ancelotti faces as Brazil reign kicks off

The 65-year-old Italian led his first coaching session on Monday in Guayaquil, Ecuador, forward of what ought to be his first match, if his transfer from Real Madrid passes scrutiny by soccer’s governing physique FIFA.

AFP identifies 5 points Ancelotti faces:

“The only goal is to win the 2026 World Cup,” stated 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 Brazil’s marketing campaign has included a first-ever house World Cup qualifying defeat, 1-0 on the Maracana to outdated enemy Argentina, a part of a run of three straight defeats in 2023 that ended the teaching reign of Fernando Diniz.

Their final match was a 4-1 humiliation in Argentina in March that completed off former coach Dorival Junior. Yet the format is forgiving.

The prime six within the 10-team group qualify straight for the World Cup. Brazil are fourth, six factors away from Venezuela in seventh with 4 matches to go.

Ecuador could also be second within the group, however are solely two factors forward of Brazil, who then host Paraguay, who’re fifth.

Qualifying ends in September with a go to to last-place Chile and a house sport towards struggling Bolivia.

Brazil continues to be churning out dazzling attackers however the manufacturing line has stalled on No. 9s. In this century, Romario, Ronaldo and Adriano have all led the assault and banged within the objectives.

The nearest participant to a basic No. 9 in Ancelotti’s first squad is a participant he coached at Everton, Richarlison, now of Tottenham.

Yet Ancelotti has gained with out a central striker earlier than. His 2024 Champions League successful aspect was led by two Brazilians: Vinicius Jr, who’s in Ancelotti’s squad, and Rodrygo, who he didn’t choose. Ancelotti additionally has Raphinha of Barcelona, who was joint prime scorer on this season’s Champions League.

A much bigger drawback is likely to be supplying the attackers, veteran Brazilian soccer journalist Juca Kfouri informed AFP.

With Brazil’s youth academies specializing in defensive midfielders and fast wingers somewhat than basic creators, the Selecao faces a scarcity of concepts in midfield.

In Brazil’s final two outings Dorival Junior tried Bruno Guimaraes, Gerson, Andre and Joelinton within the position. None satisfied.

At Madrid, Ancelotti “had Toni Kroos as a supply line for Vini. Brazil does not have a Toni Kroos,” stated sports activities author Tim Vickery on his ‘Brazilian Shirt Name’ podcast.

Ancelotti has recalled Kroos’s former Real Madrid midfield companion Casemiro, though the 33-year-old now with Manchester United is primarily a defensive participant so as to add, the coach stated, “charisma, personality and talent.”

The provide of swashbuckling fullbacks, reminiscent of Carlos Alberto, Cafu and Roberto Carlos one other hallmark of nice Brazil groups has additionally dried up.

Ancelotti has recalled Carlos Augusto, a part of the Inter Milan group crushed within the Champions League remaining, and picked Flamengo duo Wesley Franca and Alex Sandro after seeing them play final week in a 1-0 victory over Venezuelan group Deportivo Tachira within the Copa Libertadores.

Ancelotti must rebuild the bond between the group and the general public. Part of the issue is that after Brazil gained 5 World Cups enjoying largely the “jogo bonito” , followers have little persistence with mediocrity.

But many supporters have been turned off by the way in which the well-known yellow jersey has been hijacked as a logo by supporters of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro.

“This issue of the extreme right appropriating the jersey has distanced part of the country,” stated Kfouri, including Ancelotti known as on the followers when he took the job saying, “I hope to have the support and help of the country.”

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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

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