Ancelotti says Brazil need mind, heart and a clear idea against Japan | OneFootball

Coach Carlo Ancelotti explained that Brazil will need “mind, heart, and a clear idea” for the clash against Japan in the Round of 32 of the World Cup. Successful in knockout competitions with major European clubs, he pointed out the unpredictability of a match in this context and stressed that the national team is prepared and confident.

“For tomorrow’s match (Monday), we need many things: mind, heart, a clear idea. We have to be prepared for everything that can happen in a knockout tie, and in a knockout tie many things can happen. The team is prepared, motivated, confident, and has done well in the last two matches. The team is ready for anything that can happen,” he said again at a press conference this Monday (28), on the eve of the match.

Ancelotti highlighted the importance of having a squad full of experienced players with World Cup pedigree — of the 26 called up, 15 have already played in at least one World Cup.

“This isn’t a knockout tie, it’s a knockout, nothing more. There is no second leg. Brazil is fortunate to have many experienced players in this regard. In terms of experience, the team is very strong, and the players know how to prepare for a game like this. In that respect, I’m very confident,” he said.

Carlo Ancelotti during a press conference with the national team in Houston, on the eve of the match against Japan in the Round of 32 of the World CupCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Japan will be the first opponent that the Seleção, under Ancelotti, will have faced twice. In October last year, the national team played a World Cup warm-up friendly in Tokyo and was beaten 3-2.

Despite the setback, he said the chance to face the hosts was valuable and praised the quality of the opponent his team will face this Monday (29). The teams will meet at 2 p.m. Brasília time at Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas, United States.

“It was a good experience for us, and it showed us that Japan had a competitive team and one of the best in the world. They beat England in March, and we have total respect for them. We are preparing for this game as if it were a final. And it is a final,” he stressed.

“It’s a World Cup. Football is about how you can handle pressure while staying focused on what you can do on the pitch. We will focus on every aspect: attacking, defending, playing together. It’s a game that demands that. We will play against a strong opponent, one that is well organized and has good quality. Above all, we need to have clear ideas about what we want to do on the pitch,” he concluded.

Carlo Ancelotti during a press conference with the national team in Houston, on the eve of the match against Japan in the Round of 32 of the World Cup Credits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

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