Brazil's Carlo Ancelotti Faces Pressure To Win Historic 6th World Cup Title

Alisson Becker feels for Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian expected to bring Brazil a record sixth World Cup title.

"His position perhaps has more pressure than being the president of the country," the Seleção's top goalkeeper said.

Brazil is unbeaten in 20 World Cup openers since 1934, winning 17 going into Saturday night's match against African champion Morocco.

Having conquered the globe with Pelé, samba soccer and canary yellow jerseys, Brazil was once the nation others emulated.

No more. Brazil hasn’t won the title since 2002 and has moved past the quarterfinals just once since, a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany in the 2014 semis on home soil in Belo Horizonte.

"We're here to try to change history, try to put Brazil back to where it never should have left, which is at the top," striker Vinícius Júnior said Friday through an interpreter. "We are at the same level as the other major teams."

Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semis, losing 2-0 to France four years ago. The Atlas Lions won their continent's title controversially in January — they lost 1-0 to Senegal but were awarded a 3-0 forfeit victory because the Lions of Teranga left the field for 15 minutes during stoppage time in protest of a penalty kick awarded to their opponent.

Brazil is ranked sixth in the world and Morocco seventh.

"In modern football, there is no — how we say? — small-time team," Ancelotti said through an interpreter. "They are definitely up to the task."

In their one World Cup meeting, Brazil won 3-0 in the 1998 group stage behind goals from Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Bebeto.

"We all respect Brazil. Some people say it’s not the Brazil of before. Well, it’s still Brazil," Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi said through an