“No one like Paquetá”: Ancelotti flags issue before Brazil v Norway | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti has yet to reveal who will replace Lucas Paquetá

Brazil will have an important problem for the clash with Norway this Sunday (05) in the World Cup round of 16. Without Lucas Paquetá, who suffered a grade 2 muscle injury in the back of his thigh, coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the difficulty of finding a replacement with similar characteristics to the Flamengo midfielder.

— We don’t have a player like Paquetá. Danilo is different, Martinelli is a winger, so… I have time to think. As people always say, I’ve already thought about it, I’ve already solved the issue. At times like this, it’s all about confidence. We don’t have players in the squad with Lucas Paquetá’s quality. We have to replace him with other players. Danilo is different from Gabriel, who is different from Cunha, who is different from Éderson. We will take into account what is best for the team, knowing the opponent’s strengths —, Ancelotti said at a pre-match press conference this Saturday (04).

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS TO REPLACE PAQUETÁ?

Although he is still keeping the lineup a mystery, Ancelotti revealed which players can perform part of the roles carried out by Paquetá, especially in defensive recovery. However, as the Italian highlighted, none of them have the Flamengo midfielder’s style of play.

— Defensively, someone who can drop back on the left when the team doesn’t have the ball. When the team didn’t have the ball, Paquetá did that. Martinelli and Danilo (Santos) can do that. With the ball, you have to occupy the space well between the center and the left. That position can sometimes be occupied by Danilo Santos or Vini Jr. Offensively, it doesn’t change. What changes is the player’s interpretation depending on their characteristics. Danilo is different from Martinelli —, the coach added.

HOW DID PAQUETÁ GET INJURED?

Lucas Paquetá suffered a grade 2 muscle injury in the back of his thigh during Brazil’s 2-1 win over Japan last Monday (29), in the second round of the World Cup. After medical tests, the Brazilian national team’s medical department confirmed that the midfielder is out of the round-of-16 match and will probably not be fit to return later in the tournament.

SO, WHEN DOES BRAZIL FACE NORWAY?

Brazil and Norway face each other this Sunday (05) at MetLife Stadium, in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, in the World Cup round of 16. Brazil is looking to qualify for the quarterfinals, but will have to overcome the challenge without one of its main playmakers. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. (Brasília time), with full coverage from Coluna do Fla.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION, AFTER ALL?

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