Martinelli earns Brazil spot as Ancelotti bolsters midfield options | OneFootball

Defensive midfielder Martinelli has earned a new opportunity with the Brazilian National Team after Carlo Ancelotti decided to increase the number of midfielders in the squad for the upcoming friendlies. The Fluminense player was added to the list to fill the spot left by João Pedro and will be assessed by the Italian coach during the matches against Australia and India.

According to Diogo Dantas’ column in O Globo, the decision is linked to Ancelotti’s intention to test new alternatives in midfield in the period following the World Cup. With the change, the delegation now has seven players for the position.

In addition to Martinelli, Andrey Santos, Breno Bidon, Bruno Guimarães, Danilo Santos, Douglas Luiz, and Gabriel Bontempo were also called up.

Versatility drew attention

Martinelli was already included in the national team’s preliminary list and had been monitored by the coaching staff. The CBF’s assessment is that the player can perform different roles in midfield.

At Fluminense, the midfielder has already played distinct roles throughout the season. In some matches, he played closer to the center-backs, helping with build-up play and the team’s passing out from the back. In others, he was given more freedom to push forward and join the attack.

This ability to operate in different areas of the pitch is seen as a trait that could improve his chances in the national team’s new cycle.

The call-up represents another important step for Martinelli, who will now have the opportunity to show Ancelotti his football directly during the September friendlies.

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