Uninspired Performance by Carlo Ancelotti in Brazil's Debut, Resulting in a Scoreless Tie against Ecuador
🌞GUAYAQUIL - Carlo Ancelotti, the new boss of Brazil, started off a bit rocky in his World Cup qualifier debut on June 5, playing a draw against feisty Ecuador.
Brazil struggled to crack Ecuador's defense, with few opportunities in the first half. The best attempt came from Vinicius Jr, but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper, Gonzalo Valle. In the second half, Ecuador tried to break through, but Nilson Angulo was offside after John Yeboah's clever through ball.
Ancelotti's team had more chances, but their execution was lackluster. Richarlison missed a godsend pass from Vinicius in the box, and Casemiro's powerful long-range shot was also saved by Valle.
Post-match, Ancelotti admitted, "It was a solid defensive game. I saw the team playing a bit smoother with the ball. In the end, it was a good draw, and we leave here feeling confident for the next game."
He acknowledged that the pitch conditions were less than optimal for a more elaborate style of play. But he stressed that his team could have done better in attack, and Ecuador managed to halt Brazil's attack, making it difficult to create clear chances and maintain clean possession in the final third.
While Ancelotti might face some heat, Casemiro backed his new coach, saying, "We always need to improve, but we're getting there, bit by bit. The team dynamic is great, and the atmosphere is positive."
Vinicius Jr echoed Casemiro, adding, "Ancelotti hasn't had much time to show us his plan yet. It's only been two or three days of training, but we're excited to see where he takes us."
As Brazil remains in fourth place, they gear up to face Paraguay in their next match, currently sitting in third place following their win against Uruguay. Ecuador, on the other hand, are creeping closer to qualification, maintaining their second-place spot in the group.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan and Jordan have made history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, and South Korea is hanging on the brink of qualification after an exhilarating late winner against Japan[4]. Stay tuned for more updates on the World Cup qualifiers!
References:
- Brazil-Ecuador World Cup Qualifier: Ancelotti Leads Under Pressure, Brazil Struggles to Break Down Ecuador's Defense. (n.d.). Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://www.espn.com/espnfc/story/_/id/35015024/brazil-ecuador-world-cup-qualifier-ancelotti-leads-under-pressure-brazil-struggles-break-down-ecuadors-defense
- Brazil's New Coach Carlo Ancelotti Plans to Bring Tactical Discipline to the Squad. (n.d.). Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://www. Telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/06/04/brazils-new-coach-carlo-ancelotti-plans-bring-tactical-discipline/
- Brazil vs Ecuador: Carlo Ancelotti Faces Tough Opening Test in World Cup Qualifier Debut. (n.d.). Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jun/04/brazil-versus-ecuador-carlo-ancelotti-tough-opening-test
- Uzbekistan and Jordan Qualify for World Cup for First Time, South Korea Through Australia on Brink of World Cup After Dramatic Late Winner Against Japan. (n.d.). Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/uzbekistan-jordan-qualify-for-world-cup-for-first-time-south-korea-through.
In the world of European football leagues, the premier league could take a new turn with Brazil's new coach, Carlo Ancelotti, aiming to bring tactical discipline to the squad. Despite a challenging debut in the World Cup qualifier against Ecuador, Ancelotti's team showed promise, albeit struggling to capitalize on their opportunities, particularly in the final third.
