João Ananias praises preparation and urges patience against Denmark | OneFootball

João Ananias during a Brazil U-20 training sessionCredits: Nelson Terme / CBF

Brazil’s U-20 National Team is in the final days of preparation before the start of a series of friendlies in Spain. Part of the squad, center back João Ananias believes the team has responded well to head coach Paulo Victor’s demands, but still sees room for adjustments, especially in the way they work the ball.

According to the Santos defender, intensity has been one of the hallmarks of training since the team arrived in Spain. For him, the group has already absorbed one of the coaching staff’s main demands and now needs to carry that behavior into the matches.

“Our preparation has been really good; we’ve been working very hard every day. We just need to keep following what Paulo is asking of us and put our game onto the field against Denmark and the other national teams,” he said.

João Ananias also pointed out one aspect that can be improved before the friendlies. The center back believes the team can be calmer in possession, especially since the U-20 level already shows characteristics close to professional football.

“One thing I think we can improve in training before the friendlies is how we handle things when we have the ball. We need to be more patient and more composed,” he highlighted.

The first test will be against Denmark on Monday (28). For João, the opponent also represents an opportunity to measure the team’s ability to adapt against a different footballing school.

“It’s a different school, so we need to follow what coach Paulo tells us and adapt during the game,” he said.

The preparation in Spain also has a special meaning for the center back. Wearing the Brazil National Team shirt is the fulfillment of a dream João Ananias has had since childhood. Now, he plans to keep working hard to make the most of this moment and the next steps in his career.

“It’s the realization of a dream; it’s something we always imagine from a young age. The Brazil National Team shirt, wearing the yellow jersey and being able to be part of this. In this new cycle that is beginning for the 2030 World Cup, the Olympics, and the World Cup, I’m going to keep working hard,” he concluded.

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