Brazil coach Ancelotti puts premium on defense

LONDON: Carlo Ancelotti may still be wrestling with Portuguese but the Italian is increasingly comfortable in his role as Brazil coach as he prepares to field an experimental defensive lineup in a friendly with Senegal at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Nearly six months into his tenure, the ex-Real Madrid boss is adapting to a radically different routine from his club days, swapping daily training sessions for more periodic work as he builds toward the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the US.

The 3-2 defeat by Japan last month served as a wake-up call for Ancelotti, whose side prior to the Japanese fighback in Tokyo had conceded one goal in his first five matches.

That defensive collapse when leading 2-0 at halftime has prompted tactical soul-searching, with Real Madrid centerback Eder Militao set to start at rightback against Senegal as the coach continues to search for reliable fullbacks.

 Solid defense helps quality players

“The defense was a key part in Brazil’s last (World Cup) victories,” Ancelotti said, drawing inspiration from the country’s 1994 and 2002 World Cup triumphs.

“(A) team with fantastic individuality, who enjoyed the game but knew how not to get exposed ... I remember 1994, a team with two defensive midfielders, very tight at the back and with Bebeto and Romario (up front) to make the difference.

“That’s what I think for the World Cup. A solid defense helps quality players make the difference.

“Militao has a different profile from other rightbacks. I’m going to ask for something different in terms of quality and style of play,” he added.

“It’s an option we can use in the World Cup to give the team more solidity at the back, but we conceded three goals against Japan, we’ve