Carlo Ancelotti takes it step by step in bid for Brazil World Cup glory

Six months into his tenure as coach of the Brazil national team, Carlo Ancelotti already has a chance to claim a little piece of Seleção history. 

That might seem strange, given some of the flak that has come the Italian’s way following recent defeats to Bolivia and Japan. Yet if Ancelotti can guide his team to victory over Senegal in Saturday afternoon’s friendly at the Emirates Stadium, it will mark Brazil’s first ever win over the west African side, leaving Norway as the only country the five-time World Cup winners have faced without beating.

Admittedly, it would hardly be the biggest claim to fame for a manager whose glittering array of honours includes five European Cups and league titles in each of the big five European leagues. Yet it would be a start, a step on the road to Brazil’s tilt at an elusive hexa, and the 66-year-old has stressed the value of incremental progress.    

“We have to keep learning and improving to be ready for the World Cup,” says Ancelotti, who has won three and drawn one of his six games in charge. “I’m happy with what we’ve done so far, but we’re also aware of the mistakes we’ve made. Because now you can make mistakes but, in the World Cup, if you make a mistake, you’re going home.”

Ironing out flaws has been Ancelotti’s remit from day one. The foundations for next summer’s World Cup challenge were laid within a month of his appointment in May, when his reign commenced with a goalless draw against Ecuador followed by a 1-0 win over Paraguay in São Paulo that secured qualification. 

Brazil’s chequered World Cup qualification campaign

Despite the smiles that followed, led by goalscorer Vinícius Júnior and Neymar, there was little to celebrate. In a group from which it was harder not to qualify, with the best six of 10 teams assured a World Cup place and a seventh advancing to an intercontinental play-off tournament, Brazil finished fifth. A 1-0 defeat to Bolivia in the next match left Ancelotti’s men with a miserable final tally of 28 points from 18 games. While the damage predated the new manager’s arrival, it remained the worst qualification campaign in the country’s history. 

Notwithstanding a shock friendly defeat to Japan last month in Tokyo in which Brazil, two goals to the good at the break, suffered a second-half collapse, the hope is of better times to come. As might be expected, Ancelotti’s side is replete with talent, not least from the Premier League. Arsenal defender Gabriel, Casemiro and Matheus Cunha of Manchester United, Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, Chelsea duo Andrey Santos and Estêvão Willian, and West Ham forward Lucas Paquetá could all feature against Senegal. 

That is before we even come to a Real Madrid contingent that includes Vinícius, Rodrygo and Éder Militão, or former Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, now of Fenerbahçe, who is expected to get at least 45 minutes between the sticks. Ancelotti’s hand will be strengthened further still once Liverpool stopper Alisson and Monaco right-back Vanderson return from injury. A shortage of players is not Brazil’s problem; competition for places is brutal.

Why Brazil will deploy Éder Militão at right-back against Senegal

The immediate area of focus for Ancelotti is nonetheless shoring up a defence that had conceded just one goal in five games before capitulating against Japan, to which end Militão will start at right-back. 

“The defence was a key part in Brazil’s last victories,” said Ancelotti, harking back to the two most recent of the country’s five World Cup triumphs, in 1994 and 2002. “A team with fantastic individuality, who enjoyed the game but knew how not to get exposed. 

“I think for the World Cup, a solid defence helps quality players make the difference. Militão has a different profile from other right-backs. I’m going to ask for something different in terms of quality and style of play. 

“It’s an option we can use in the World Cup to give the team more solidity at the back. We conceded three goals against Japan, [but] we’ve assessed our mistakes and we’ll try to improve in that area to play a good game.”