Ancelotti on Brazil's World Cup squad: «The new lads make it harder» | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti admitted that the strong performances of several young players in Brazil’s 3-1 win over Croatia created new doubts for him regarding the final squad list for the World Cup. “The newcomers have contributed a lot, they made the most of their opportunity and, obviously, it increases the uncertainty over the final list,” the Italian coach said at a press conference.

The match played at Camping World Stadium left the coaching staff with a positive impression, especially because of the contribution from the players who came on from the bench. Among them, Endrick stood out, winning a penalty when the match was tied and then providing the assist for the third goal. “He played very well,” the coach said about the forward.

Ancelotti also praised the overall contribution of the young players who got their chance in the team. “They have all contributed, which is a positive sign for the team. Now we will continue evaluating what happens in the European leagues and in the Brazilian Championship,” said the former Real Madrid coach.

The performances of other players also influenced the coach’s assessment. Danilo Santos, the Botafogo midfielder, scored the opening goal, while Igor Thiago converted the penalty won by Endrick. Their performances intensified the internal competition ahead of the World Cup squad announcement for the tournament to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Beyond the doubts about the final roster, the coach said he was satisfied with how the team performed against Croatia. “The idea was to play like this. There are things to improve, obviously, but we are on the right track,” he said. He also dismissed feeling anxious about the tournament’s proximity and stressed the team’s internal atmosphere: “We have a good team structure, a good environment, we are working very well; now we are calm.”

Since taking over as head coach in May 2025, Ancelotti has managed ten matches in charge of Brazil, with a record of five wins, two draws, and three defeats.

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