Ancelotti's Brazil Takes a Step Forward in World Cup Qualifiers
Ancelotti secures World Cup ticket, marking his upcoming break from coaching duties
São Paulo (dpa) - After a whirlwind time at Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti finally gets a well-earned break... or so he thinks. "First things first, I'm taking a vacation," the 66-year-old Italian grinned. He hasn't had a proper break in years.
His departure from Real Madrid was swift, with no time for rest. Instead, he leaped straight into the Seleção. A grand introduction, followed by the World Cup qualifiers. A 1:0 victory over Paraguay secured Brazil's spot in next year's tournament, hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, under the guidance of the former Bayern Munich coach.
70 Players on Ancelotti's Radar
"We're thrilled with the qualification and the performance," Ancelotti beamed. "But there's still a lot of work to be done. We've got a year to fine-tune." Thanks to their victory, Brazil is now nestled comfortably in third place in the South American World Cup qualifying table, with just two games remaining before locking down their spot among the top six.
Safe from relegation, Brazil has put an end to the nail-biting suspense that accompanied their position. However, Ancelotti's tenure has not been without its challenges, particularly in his debut against Ecuador, and Paraguay wasn't a perfect performance. But progress was assured, with the team clearly improving.
Vini Jr. Scores the Winning Goal
The visiting team was put under immediate pressure from the outset. As the half drew to a close, Vinícius Júnior netted the deciding goal in the penalty area after a cross from Matheus Cunha, securing a 1:0 victory for Brazil. The Real Madrid prodigy scored under the coach who moulded him into a player at Madrid.
"I'm overjoyed with this win, it was crucial to secure a victory at home, for our fans," Vini Jr. stated after the final whistle. "With the coach having more time to work, to see where we need improvement, my vacation will be shorter than I'd like." And his hard work is far from over, with 70 players in contention for the World Cup roster, according to the coach.
Neymar's Road to Recovery
This list includes the injured superstar Neymar, whose comeback is currently uncertain. "Neymar and I had a chat at the hotel, and we shared a hug," Ancelotti revealed. "If he's fully fit, he can play anywhere on the field." The question remains: when will the 33-year-old be back in form? The remaining qualifiers are slated for September, with Brazil facing Chile and Bolivia.
Neymar has a lengthy injury history, which has taken a toll on his performance, especially during his stint at Santos[4][5]. His latest setback kept him out of Paris Saint-Germain's recent match against Rennes[1]. Despite this, there is optimism about his future role in major competitions, particularly with the Brazilian national team, who are keen to have him back on the pitch if he can regain his full fitness[3]. His decision regarding his future at Santos, due after June 12, could also impact his focus and availability for national team duty[2][5]. So, while Neymar might be sidelined for now, his potential return is eagerly anticipated.
"Ancelotti will need to assess the performance of 70 players in order to finalize the World Cup roster, including the injured Neymar, whose fitness remains uncertain."
"Despite his injury, there is optimism about Neymar's potential return, particularly in major competitions, with his decision about his future at Santos, due after June 12, potentially impacting his availability for the national team."
