The initial performance of the Brazilian team in the 1-1 draw with Morocco, in New Jersey, last Saturday (14), in the first round of the World Cup, generated a series of criticisms. After the match, coach Carlo Ancelotti himself admitted that the performance, especially in the first half, fell short of expectations.
The pressure for changes to the starting lineup for the match against Haiti, next Friday (20), is great. The absence of striker Endrick, for example, was one of the most debated points on social media, although the Italian coach avoided commenting individually on the number 19.
“I’m not here to talk about an individual player, I’m talking about the team. The team didn’t play well in the first half, in the second half it was better. We had some opportunities. We have to do more,” declared Ancelotti after the game, explaining the need for adjustments.
In recent campaigns by world champion teams, history shows that stumbles in the initial rounds can be overcome, but require a quick course correction and tactical adaptation for the course of the competition.
Carlo Ancelotti’s career as a coach is marked by remarkable flexibility and constant adaptation of lineups. Since taking over the national team, he has not played in the starting lineup in any of the 13 matches played so far.
This characteristic is not exclusive to working with the National Team. At Real Madrid, his last team before commanding Brazil, Ancelotti also made changes in each game. This practice made opponent predictability difficult, demonstrating a squad and tactical management philosophy that values variability and reading each specific confrontation, even in moments of high pressure or with important absences. This consistency in alternating lineups, seen at one of the biggest clubs in the world, offers a strong indication of what to expect from the Brazilian team.
For fans who want to follow Brazil’s trajectory closely, it is possible to consult the complete World Cup table and simulate the results of upcoming matches, anticipating the team’s possible path in the tournament.
In the 2024/25 season, his last spell at the Spanish club, the Merengue team oscillated predominantly between a 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 formation with two midfield lines. The most significant changes generally occurred in clashes against opponents with greater technical ability, when the priority was to reinforce the midfield sector, often sacrificing one of the attackers.
Goalkeeper Alisson revealed details about a charge from Ancelotti in the dressing room during half-time of the draw between Brazil and Morocco, highlighting the coach’s demanding stance.
Real Madrid’s tactical configurations in the opening clashes of the Champions League in 2024
Check out the formations used by Real Madrid in the first Champions League group stage games in 2024:
- Against Stuttgart (4-3-3):Courtois; Vázquez, Carvajal, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappé, Vini Jr.
- Against Lille (4-4-2):Lunin; Carvajal, Militão, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Bellingham; Vini Jr, Endrick.
- Against Milan (4-4-2):Lunin; Vázquez, Militão, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Modric, Bellingham; Mbappé, Vini Jr.
- Against Dortmund (4-3-3):Courtois; Vázquez, Militão, Rüdiger, Mendy; Bellingham, Valverde, Modric; Rodrygo, Mbappé, Vini Jr.
Real Madrid’s tactical flexibility often relied on Jude Bellingham’s positioning. The English midfielder was a pillar in defining the rhythm and structure of the Italian coach’s team, who demonstrated the ability to vary formation throughout the same match. When the objective was to strengthen the midfield, Bellingham started the game more positioned on the left; With the intention of adopting a more aggressive offensive posture, he was moved to the central line to free up the opposite winger.
The reactions of Neymar, fan and leader, during the Seleção’s game against Morocco, were recorded and show the intensity with which the player follows and interacts with the national team’s challenges.
Despite the tendency not to repeat lineups, Real Madrid faced several injury problems in the 2024/25 season, with important players such as Courtois, Carvajal and Éder Militão having difficulty maintaining physical regularity throughout the year. This contributed to Ancelotti’s need to constantly adapt the squad.
The image of Endrick with Ancelotti, captured before the European Super Cup between Real Madrid and Atalanta, represents a moment of transition and integration of young talents under the coach’s guidance.
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Real Madrid finished the league phase in 11th place and faced strong opponents such as Manchester City, Atlético de Madrid and Arsenal in the Champions League knockout stage, being eliminated by the Gunners. Even in the face of physical challenges and high competitiveness, Ancelotti maintained his strategy of rotating and changing formations in all clashes.
The formations used by Real Madrid in decisive matches
Below are Real Madrid’s lineups in important Champions League games, which illustrate Ancelotti’s rotation:
- First game against Manchester City (4-4-2):Courtois; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Ascencio, Mendy; Rodrygo, Camavinga, Ceballos, Bellingham; Mbappé, Vini Jr.
- Return game against Manchester City (4-4-2):Courtois; Valverde, Rüdiger, Ascencio, Mendy; Rodrygo, Tchouaméni, Ceballos, Bellingham; Mbappé, Vini Jr.
- First game against Atlético de Madrid (4-2-4):Courtois; Valverde, Rüdiger, Ascencio, Mendy; Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Brahim Díaz; Mbappé, Vini Jr.
- Return game against Atlético de Madrid (4-4-2):Courtois; Valverde, Rüdiger, Ascencio, Mendy; Rodrygo, Modric, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Mbappé, Vini Jr.
- First game against Arsenal (4-4-2):Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rüdiger, Alaba; Rodrygo, Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham; Mbappé, Vini Jr.
- Return game against Arsenal (4-3-3):Courtois; Vázquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, Alaba; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vini Jr; Mbappe.