Ancelotti to Alter Brazil Tactics After Late Rayan Equaliser Against Australia
Carlo Ancelotti will adjust Brazil’s approach for the second Australia friendly in Brisbane after Rayan’s 95th-minute header salvaged a draw in Townsville.
What we know
- Brazil avoided a historic defeat to Australia when Rayan headed in deep into stoppage time.
- The draw came after Brazil’s World Cup elimination by Norway, increasing pressure on Ancelotti despite his new four-year contract.
- Ancelotti said criticism would not alter his plans for the national side. “It has zero effect on what I think about the future,” he said.
- The squad in Australia is largely experimental, with 17 players on 10 caps or fewer and 10 uncapped call-ups.
- Ancelotti said the immediate objective is to identify a generation capable of taking Brazil into the Copa América and the next World Cup. He admitted the 26-man group is part of a broader assessment, rather than a definitive selection of Brazil’s best players.
- The Italian accepted the scale of expectation around the job, saying that Brazil coaches are expected to win the World Cup.
Next step: Brazil target better control in Brisbane
Ancelotti is expected to focus on Brazil’s control of transitions in the return match against Australia. He felt his side limited Australian counterattacks when using four forwards, but created fewer chances at times with three attackers and did not finish opportunities well.
Brazil can control matches with either three midfielders or four forwards, Ancelotti said, insisting neither the staff nor players view the fixture as an ordinary friendly. The Selecao believe every match carries the responsibility of representing “the greatest national team in football history.”
