Just three days before the Brazilian team’s first game in the World Cup, coach Carlo Ancelotti begins to consolidate plans for the team that will face Morocco next Saturday (13), in New Jersey. The work carried out over the last few days indicates that the technical committee opted for a more physical formation, thicker in the central strip of the pitch and structured to block the rival’s lateral advances.
Training indicates that Ibañez will be chosen for the right side, Douglas Santos will occupy the left side and Lucas Paquetá will reinforce the playmaking sector, modifications that provide greater stability in defense without compromising the offensive articulation.
Right-back Wesley’s cut, due to an injury to his thigh adductor muscle, had opened up a direct dispute between Danilo and Ibañez for the starting spot, but the most recent training sessions put the Al-Ahli athlete at an advantage. During Tuesday’s tactical activities, Ibañez assumed the position and was actively present in dynamic crossings and plays created by the edges, elements that indicate his likely selection in the first team.
The panorama became even clearer in the final part of the work on the lawn. In an activity in a reduced space guided by Carlo Ancelotti, Ibañez trained alongside Gabriel Magalhães, Marquinhos and Douglas Santos, directly designing the defensive quartet that should start the confrontation against the Moroccans.
This change signals a considerable change in Brazil’s game strategy.
When it had Wesley, the Brazilian formation gained a full-back who acted almost like an advanced winger when in possession of the ball. The tactic helped to widen the opponent’s lines, created a numerical advantage on the wings and put pressure on rival teams retreating close to their own area.
Without the presence of the athlete, Carlo Ancelotti designs a formation with greater support in the middle of the field, ready to face the clashes of physical strength that the Morocco team usually imposes in its matches.
This scenario also justifies the likely choice of Douglas Santos to start on the left flank. The defender presents marking skills that tend to be decisive in containing the most dangerous sector of the Moroccan team. The Africans’ offensive right side concentrates the main plays with Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz, athletes who combine extreme speed and ease to break marking lines on the wings.
Douglas Santos’ lineup adds combativeness to stop these attacks, while Matheus Cunha plays an equally important role in defensive support in that region. Even playing up front, the striker shows ease in returning when without the ball and filling the spaces on the left flank of the Brazilian team.
Therefore, even with the fans expecting changes in the attacking sector, the trend points to Matheus Cunha remaining in the team. The role played by the player goes beyond offensive positioning. He acts as an essential tactical cog to prevent Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz from gaining space to launch quick counterattacks.
In the midfield sector, another clear signal was presented by the technical committee. Lucas Paquetá worked without restrictions with the group and established himself as a strong candidate to start the game. The arrival of the Flamengo midfielder consolidates a plan developed behind the scenes since the friendlies period: increasing the density of athletes in the central region.
Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães remain fixed as references in the sector. The first acts in direct protection of the defense and plays a leadership role. The second guarantees ball transition, dynamism and insertion into the penalty area. With the addition of Lucas Paquetá, Brazil raises its technical level to retain possession and dictate the course of the game, a factor that can be decisive against an opponent with strong physical imposition and tactical rigor.
In the final stretch of preparation for the debut, the Italian commander established the team’s direction. We will not see a Brazilian team designed to repeat the moves made during Wesley’s time. This is a new proposal. A team with greater imposition in duels, protected on the sides and filled inside.
If the field tests are confirmed, Brazil will start the match against Morocco with Alisson; Ibañez, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães and Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães and Lucas Paquetá; Raphinha, Matheus Cunha and Vini Jr.
The probable formation reflects one of Carlo Ancelotti’s trademarks in his work in European football: shaping the tactical structure according to the characteristics of the squad, maintaining the competitive level. Against an opponent who arrives motivated and in great shape for the world tournament, the plan outlined seems to seek the exact balance for the challenge.
