NEW YORK—Is it time to experiment with a new system? Will the team's image be preserved? And what about Neymar? These are just a few of the pressing questions surrounding the Brazilian national team, now under the leadership of Carlo Ancelotti.
After salvaging a point against Morocco in a World Cup debut that left much to be desired in terms of performance, the Canarinha is expected to make strategic shifts as they prepare to face Haiti on Friday in Philadelphia during the second round of Group C.
Several players underperformed, and the 4-4-2 formation implemented by the Italian coach was clearly outmatched by Morocco in their initial outing. A moment of brilliance from Vinícius Júnior spared the five-time champions from a more significant embarrassment by scoring the equalizer, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Internally, the Brazilian squad acknowledges their disappointing performance and admits they did not live up to the five stars emblazoned on their jerseys. Veteran defender Danilo described the first half as alarming, stating, "There were high expectations to deliver a great performance, to dominate and apply constant pressure. When the opposite occurs and the opponent creates several chances, managing the situation becomes challenging.”
He emphasized the need for balance, adding, “We were tactically and mentally unbalanced.” Danilo was also candid about the state of the Seleção, noting, “We need to be clear: we do not possess the same maturity as France or Argentina do as teams today. That doesn’t mean we can’t perform well… winning another star would be wonderful.”
During training this week, Ancelotti experimented with various configurations for the starting eleven. A tactical shift appears imminent, possibly eliminating the attacking midfielder to incorporate an additional striker. This change could see notable players such as Raphinha, Casemiro, and Lucas Paquetá relegated to the bench.
Fans should not expect Neymar to play against Haiti. The star forward is dealing with a stubborn calf injury and will not travel with the team to Philadelphia. The confederation reported that he will remain in New Jersey to optimize the final stages of his recovery process, with hopes that he might participate in the knockout rounds, contingent on Brazil securing their qualification.
As reported by latimes.com.
Meanwhile, on the same day, the United States will face Australia in Seattle. The debut of one of the three host nations could not have been better, as the U.S. triumphed with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, marking the most significant win in the history of the U.S. national team at the World Cup, igniting excitement across the country.
Facing Australia, fresh off a 2-0 victory against Turkey, will test whether the U.S. team's success against Paraguay was merely a fluke. There is uncertainty regarding their star player Christian Pulisic, who is doubtful due to a left calf injury sustained during the match against Paraguay. Pulisic was substituted during halftime and has been training separately this week.
American midfielder Sebastia Berhalter anticipates a tough match, recalling a 2-1 victory in a friendly against Australia last October. He mentioned the halftime admonition from coach Mauricio Pochettino, urging the team to assert themselves against a rival known for its physical play, emphasizing, “We are Americans. We don’t let ourselves be pushed around.”
In another matchup, Turkey and Paraguay will meet in Santa Clara, California, both teams under pressure to perform better after disappointing starts. Turkey, returning to the World Cup after a 24-year absence, is grappling with ineffective performance and struggles against counter-attacks. Paraguay, making its first appearance since 2010, suffered a disastrous defeat, particularly noting the collapse of their once-sturdy defense, drawing criticism towards both the players and coach Gustavo Alfaro.
Former goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert sharply criticized the team, stating, “We lost badly, and then we see all the players taking selfies with their families as if we were at Disney.” He also questioned Alfaro’s tactical acumen, saying, “He needs to understand what the opponent is proposing. It’s easy to talk a good game, but the reality is different at the World Cup.”
Lastly, Morocco aims to build on the positive momentum from their debut against Brazil as they clash with Scotland, who secured their first World Cup victory in 36 years with a 1-0 win over Haiti. Morocco’s coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, effectively utilized six midfielders against Brazil, showcasing the talent of 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, who impressed with his skill and determination, challenging seasoned players like Casemiro.
