Analysis: high pressing sparks Brazil’s rout of South Korea | OneFootball

Brazil thrashed South Korea this Friday, winning 5-0, at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul, in the first of two friendlies they will play in Asia during this October FIFA window. Much of the result was due to the pressure exerted by the team led by Carlo Ancelotti on the opponent’s ball exit.

The Italian coach decided to field the Brazilian National Team with an attacking quartet formed by Matheus Cunha, Vinícius Júnior, Estêvão, and Rodrygo. For many, the excess of forwards could cause problems for the Seleção, but Ancelotti saw his strategy work out perfectly, precisely because of the pressure all the attackers applied in marking.

High Press: The Key to Brazil’s Rout

Two of Brazil’s five goals happened thanks to the attack’s pressure on the South Koreans’ ball exit.

On Estêvão’s second goal, the Chelsea striker closed down Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich, dispossessing him almost inside the box and finding himself one-on-one with the opposing goalkeeper to make it 3-0 for Brazil.

On Rodrygo’s second goal, Brazil’s fourth, Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães surrounded the opposing midfielder, won the ball, and Vinícius Júnior picked up the loose ball to leave his Real Madrid teammate one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Ancelotti’s Attacking Quartet Works with Intensity

Indeed, Brazil can be very dangerous with such a high-quality attacking quartet. And note that names like Raphinha, who competed for the best player in the world award last season, didn’t even take the field. Quality is not lacking in the squad.

However, this high level of offensiveness will only be effective—especially against opponents stronger than South Korea—if the tactical commitment shown this Friday is even greater in the next occasions when the Brazilian National Team takes the field.

There is little time left for coach Carlo Ancelotti to work with his players and more assertively implement his playing model before the World Cup. That’s why every friendly must be treated like a World Cup match. Against South Korea, Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Estêvão, and company proved just that.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.