Five challenges Carlo Ancelotti faces in order to fix broken Brazil side

 Five challenges Carlo Ancelotti faces in order to fix broken Brazil side

Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil's first foreign coach in over 50 years, arrived in Brazil to revitalize a faltering Selecao and reconnect with fans, starting with a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on Thursday. The 65-year-old Italian, fresh from Real Madrid, led his first training session in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Monday, pending FIFA approval of his appointment.

TRENDINGBLOG247 highlights five challenges Ancelotti must tackle:

See also: Chelsea defender Bright withdraws from England Euros selection

Secure World Cup Qualification

Ancelotti’s ultimate aim is to win the 2026 World Cup, but first, Brazil must qualify. The South American qualifiers, a grueling 18-match campaign, have been tough, with Brazil suffering a historic 1-0 home loss to Argentina in 2023 and a 4-1 thrashing in Argentina in March, leading to the exits of coaches Fernando Diniz and Dorival Junior.

Currently fourth in the 10-team group, Brazil is six points ahead of seventh-placed Venezuela with four matches left. The top six qualify directly, and upcoming games include Ecuador (second, two points ahead), Paraguay (fifth), Chile (last), and Bolivia (struggling).

Identify a Centre Forward

Brazil’s attacking flair remains, but the supply of classic No. 9s has dwindled since the days of Romario, Ronaldo, and Adriano. Ancelotti’s closest option is Richarlison, whom he coached at Everton and now plays for Tottenham. 

However, Ancelotti has succeeded without a traditional striker before, as seen in his 2024 Champions League triumph with Real Madrid, led by Brazilians Vinicius Jr (in the squad) and Rodrygo (not selected). Barcelona’s Raphinha, a joint-top scorer in this season’s Champions League, is another option.

Revamp the Midfield

Brazil’s midfield lacks creativity, with youth academies prioritizing defensive midfielders and wingers over playmakers, according to journalist Juca Kfouri. Recent experiments with Bruno Guimaraes, Gerson, Andre, and Joelinton failed to impress. At Real Madrid, Ancelotti relied on Toni Kroos to supply attackers like Vinicius Jr, but, as pundit Tim Vickery notes, “Brazil does not have a Toni Kroos.” Ancelotti has recalled Casemiro, a defensive midfielder from Manchester United, for his “charisma, personality, and talent.”

Strengthen Full-Back Positions

Brazil’s tradition of dynamic full-backs like Carlos Alberto, Cafu, and Roberto Carlos has waned. Ancelotti has called up Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan), alongside Flamengo’s Wesley Franca and Alex Sandro, after watching them in a 1-0 Copa Libertadores win against Deportivo Tachira.

Reconnect with Fans

Ancelotti must restore the bond between the Selecao and its supporters, who expect the “jogo bonito” after five World Cup triumphs but have grown frustrated with recent performances. The iconic yellow jersey’s association with far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters has also alienated some fans, as Kfouri notes. Ancelotti has appealed for national support, saying, “I hope to have the support and help of the country.”