Ancelotti's Industrious Brazil

What a transformation! What was once a mere collection of players in the iconic yellow jersey now appears to be evolving into a genuine team – solid, self-aware of its strengths and weaknesses, selfless with the ball, and united without it.

Their World Cup 2026 debut against Morocco was lackluster, raising more questions than answers. The largely negative takeaways confirmed that Carlo Ancelotti faces a monumental task. Not due to a lack of talent (though far from the heights of 2002 or 2006), but because of the absence of a cohesive unit.

At the highest level, modern football no longer tolerates game models that fail to integrate offensive and defensive phases. No team or national side can afford the luxury of not having all aspects of the game meticulously linked and worked on.

The uninspired and unconfident performance against the Moroccan squad highlighted precisely this issue: a Brazil disconnected as a collective. This disconnect was evident between sectors and even within them. The 'Canarinha' showed little solidarity without the ball, both in reacting to turnovers and during defensive transitions. In possession, the 'Seleção' lacked creativity. This stemmed from initial selection choices, as well as the individual and collective positioning and behaviors desired by the Italian coach.

Brazil could not continue to be so passive without the ball, especially immediately after losing possession. Nor could they persist with a right flank devoid of dynamics that simultaneously provided width, depth, and interior play. Even less could they afford a midfield lacking the ability to carry the ball forward and arrive in finishing zones. Not to mention the inability to create space and opportunities for Vini Jr to exploit those very areas.

Ancelotti recognized the need to shift his squad's mentality. And he did what was necessary: he changed the mindset through subtle tactical and technical adjustments.

Danilo, Rayan, and Matheus Cunha were introduced. Bruno Guimarães transitioned into a pure box-to-box midfielder. The tactical system remained the same, but the 1x4x3x3 formation gained significant work rate without the ball. It acquired order and organization in possession. It came alive. And so did Vinícius Júnior, the primary beneficiary of this revitalized version of the five-time world champions.

Brazil became more collective, more effective in attack because they learned to defend, both in pressing and in organized defense. Credit goes to Ancelotti and his pragmatic management.