Carlo Ancelotti Faces Defensive Dilemma Ahead of World Cup 2026
The renowned Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti is confronted with a significant hurdle as he embarks on his mission to secure Brazil's sixth star at the 2026 World Cup. A glaring deficiency in the full-back position has emerged, a role that has historically been pivotal to the essence of 'Jogo Bonito'—the beautiful game that Brazil is famed for. Since taking the helm of the Seleção a year ago, Ancelotti has trialed 24 players in this critical position, according to statistics from Globo Esporte.
As Brazil prepares to kick off its campaign against Morocco this Saturday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Ancelotti's squad has been further depleted by the injury of right-back Wesley from AS Roma. The young defender was considered the closest fit for the traditional Brazilian style that has characterized the role for decades. In March, the coach lamented the scarcity of quality full-backs, stating, "Everyone knows it: we lack what we have never lacked before, full-backs. Brazil used to boast exceptional wing-backs, but now we are experiencing a sort of drought." His comments were directed towards the promising Wesley, who has been making waves with his performances at Roma, a position that has remained largely unfilled since the era of Marcelo and Dani Alves.
Impact of Injuries on Brazil's World Cup Aspirations
Wesley's absence marks the fourth significant blow to Ancelotti's roster as he heads toward the World Cup, following injuries to fellow Real Madrid players Rodrygo and Éder Militão, as well as Chelsea's Estivão. At just 22 years old, Wesley is recognized for his remarkable speed and offensive capabilities, drawing comparisons to Brazilian legends Roberto Carlos and Carlos Alberto. His track record includes eight titles with Flamengo, including the prestigious Copa Libertadores in both 2022 and 2025.
The Seleção now finds itself in a challenging situation, especially with hopes of veteran Neymar's return from injury, as they lack a full-back with an attacking inclination. To address this gap, Ancelotti has called upon Ederson, a midfielder from Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, to fill the void. Brazil will face Morocco with three specialized full-backs: Douglas Santos on the left, and seasoned players Danilo and Alex Sandro, both of whom many believed had seen the end of their international careers following the disappointment at the Qatar World Cup 2022. Additionally, central defenders Bremer and Ibanez may be pressed into service as right-backs, yet their inherently defensive nature could hinder Brazil's offensive capabilities.
Danilo, who usually occupies a central defensive role with Flamengo, also acknowledged the challenges of adapting to different positions. "I can do other things: play the ball out cleanly from the back, push forward into the midfield, but my attributes are very different from those of a player like Wesley," he explained. Experts attribute the shortage of capable full-backs to the early migration of talent to Europe, depriving them of proper Brazilian-style development.
Ancelotti is not the first Brazilian national team coach to grapple with the complexities surrounding the full-back position. During the Qatar World Cup, where Brazil was knocked out by Croatia in the quarter-finals, coach Tite relied on central defender Militão on the right flank after Danilo’s injury. He also had Bremer and a much older Dani Alves, who was 39 at the time. With left-backs Alex Sandro and Alex Telles unavailable, Tite had to utilize Danilo's versatility to cover the left side during the knockout stages.
Roger Ibanez, a defender for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, remarked last week during a press conference in Morristown, New Jersey, that playing as a central defender in the full-back position is not drastically different. "One must know how to defend and handle the ball well." Tite had to reconfigure his lineup out of necessity, yet modern football sees some coaches opting to deploy central defenders or full-backs with opposite footedness in full-back roles. This tactical flexibility has been successfully employed by coaches like Pep Guardiola of Manchester City and Mikel Arteta of Arsenal, who recently lifted the Premier League title. Former German full-back Philipp Lahm, who worked with Guardiola at Bayern Munich, commented to the BBC in 2023, "This position has evolved thanks to the influence of coaches like Pep Guardiola." He elaborated, "Defensively, it’s about minimizing space for the opponent by covering vast areas and keeping them under control. Offensively, it’s about exploiting spaces, creating as many as possible, and generating numerous opportunities for your teammates."
As reported by aljazeera.net.
