Brazil Must Adapt to Win the World Cup | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti is in a predicament.

Less than two weeks before Brazil’s opening World Cup match against Morocco, a game that could decide who wins Group C, and the Italian still doesn’t know his best system. In what was their last friendly on home soil before flying to the US, Brazil adopted their usual 4-2-4 system against Panama – one of England’s competitors – at the Maracana.

At half-time it was 2-1 to the hosts, but the performance was far from impressive. Ancelotti’s midfield was exposed time and time against a nation recently held to draws by both South Africa and Bolivia. Far from ideal, to say the least.

With the crowd turning and Ancelotti clearly watching his plan falling apart, a move to a three-man midfield sparked life into his team.

Brazil ran out 6-2 winners. Goals from Rayan, Lucas Paquetà, Igor Thiago and Danilo saw one of the World Cup favorites find their rhythm – something Brazil haven’t done for quite some time.

Stick or Twist?

So does Ancelotti do now? The Italian may have little choice and we’ll know more when they meet Egypt on Saturday afternoon in Cleveland, OH as to whether he’s abandoned his preferred formation.

But he’d be a fool to continue with it.

Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães were overrun in the middle and exposed on the counter. If Panama can get in behind, what can some of the best teams in the world do?Centrally, Flamengo’s Leo Pereira had a nightmare. Without Gabriel or Marquinhos, Brazil looked extremely vulnerable. Raphinha, on the left, also was an experiment that didn’t work.

Yet fresh faces that replicate Brazilian football better than most breathed much needed life into Ancelotti’s side after the half-time break.

Second Half Revival

Bournemouth’s Rayan scored from a tight angle, while Botafogo’s Danilo scored his second international goal from his first three matches. The former Nottingham Forest man heads to the World Cup as one of Brazil’s players to watch. Mark my words, this is a tournament that could seal a big move for him.

And the introduction of Lucas Paquetá gave Ancelotti a further headache about his starting XI against Morocco on 13th June.

The former West Ham midfielder created no less than four chances in 45 minutes – including an audacious assist for Danilo. If both start in a three-man midfield, Brazil could be an exciting proposition.

However, whether there’s room for both is another question. Ancelotti is loyal to Casemiro and Guimarães despite it being clear from 90 minutes against Panama that they need an extra body in the middle.

The Egyptian Test

All eyes will be on what Ancelotti does against Egypt. Their final friendly will likely indicate what starting XI he will go with against Morocco. But if he reverts back to 4-2-4, and believes there is life left in his original approach, Brazil will pay the price.

There’s certainly hope for Brazil. The second half vs Panama was one of Brazil’s best performances for years. But those in the final third were never the issue.

Two in the middle of the park simply won’t work. And if Marquinhos or Gabriel pick up an injury, those in reserve don’t look capable of stepping up. 

So, will Ancelotti remain stubborn or will he adapt his formation in the nick of time? Either way, World Cup champions should know their best style and XI by now, and it’s clear Brazil do not.