Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that his team has the utmost respect for Japan and the Round of 32 clash between the two sides at the FIFA World Cup will be like a final, adding that there are no disorganised teams these days and there is no space to be complacent.
Japan beat Ancelotti’s men 3-2 at home in October in a friendly for a historic first win against the South Americans.
Coupled with a 1-0 victory over England at Wembley, Japan came into the FIFA World Cup in North America as dark horses.
“Japan is one of the best national teams in the world and we have the utmost respect for them. This will be like a Final. There are no disorganised teams these days; that does not exist anymore,” Ancelotti said while speaking to the media.
Brazil will take on Japan at the Houston Stadium at 10:30 pm IST on Monday.
“There are teams with less individual quality, but that also has to do with genetics. But to say there is a team that lacks difficult deployment and tactics, no, not anymore,” Ancelotti said.
“Everyone trains and that has surprised me. The only difference is individual quality,” Ancelotti added.
Brazil, chasing a record-extending sixth FIFA World Cup title, opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco before registering consecutive 3-0 wins against Haiti and Scotland.
The 67-year-old Ancelotti, one of the most acclaimed coaches in the modern game, was in a relaxed mood.
“I don’t agree with the talk of favourites; I believe every match in this competition is very difficult and there are several things we must take into account, on one hand, the enormous pressure and to date, there is no clear favourite national team to win the World Cup,” Ancelotti said.
