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Players returning from the break
Info about Brazil NT ahead of World Cup
As the FIFA break comes to an end, I will briefly explore tactical variations Carlo Ancelotti used so far and likely will use in the World Cup.
Overall, in possession, I think there are three tactical variations heavily explored on his games with Brazil NT and also in the last two friendlies, against France and Croatia.
- Vini Jr – the Real Madrid forward is a starter, unquestionable. The question is where. Ancelotti has used him as left winger, but also as left center forward (while another left winger, like Martinelli, plays along). Before the two games, I believed Carlo was favoring the first option, but now I am not sure. My take? I prefer Vini as LW.
- Matheus Cunha is another player who only an injury takes him away from the starting XI in the World Cup. Before the game against Croatia, Matheus Cunhas was heavily deployed in a advanced role, like a advanced midfielder/second striker, with two pivots behind him in 4-2-3-1 (or 4-2-4, if you will). But in the last game, as shown in the image bellow, Ancelotti used Casemiro as a single pivot, while Danilo Santos (Botafogo) and Matheus Cunha worked as interiors. Ancelotti has used this midfield dynamic before, but as far as I can say it’s the first time he used Cunha as an interior.
- Right fullback. The last variation was to use natural fullback or a CB in the right-back position. In the first case, I think Wesley (Roma) is the the starter in this role (despite being deployed in the left side on his Italian club). As CB, Militao was tested and it’s clear the favorite. But he is injured, so he tested Ibanez yesterday in the role.
Without the ball, it’s always a 4-4-2. Vini always stays in the last line, regardless of his position. When he plays as CF, it’s natural, he stays high up and the wingers join the middle line. But against Croatia he played as left winger, so it’s Matheus Cunha who defensively was the left midfielder — in a similar style to what Carlo did with Jude.
According to reports, the friendlies helped Carlo finalize his squad list. He now appears to have 24 players who would make the squad, provided they remain fit.
GKs: Alisson, Ederson, Bento.
Defenders: Wesley, Danilo, Alexsandro, Douglas Santos, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Militao, Bremer, Leo Pereira.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Fabinho, Danilo Santos, Andrey Santos.
Forwards: Vini Jr, Raphinha, Estevão, Luiz Henrique, Martinelli, Matheus Cunha, João Pedro.
In press conferences, he mentioned that his final squad would include 3 goalkeepers, 9 defenders (FBs and CBs), 5 midfielders, and 9 forwards. However, according to reports, this could now change, as there are three players competing for the two remaining spots: Paquetá, Endrick, and Igor Thiago. Danilo Santos’s performance—he was directly involved in the match against Croatia and scored the opening goal—appears to have secured his place on the list, raising doubts about Paquetá’s inclusion.
