Player attitude counts for more than tactical strategy, Brazilian manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Thursday as he aims to make the five-time world champion a major force on the world stage again.
With limited preparation time following his May arrival from Real Madrid, the Italian coach is relying on team spirit and individual talent to overcome challenges as next year’s World Cup in North America approaches.
Ahead of Brazil’s friendly against South Korea in Seoul on Friday, Ancelotti said tactical development has been hampered by a lack of training with the full squad.
«I think more tactical work is needed to refine the game strategy. All this can be very important, but the most important part is not the strategy; it is the attitude of the players on the pitch. It doesn’t take much time to prepare for that,» Ancelotti told a news conference.
In his first four games in charge, Ancelotti alternated between a 4-2-4 formation, which produced victories over Paraguay and Chile, and a 4-3-3 system used in a draw against Ecuador and a defeat to Bolivia at the 4,100-metre altitude of El Alto last month.
Despite mixed results, he expressed satisfaction with Brazil’s defensive organization.
«I really liked the team’s defensive play in June and September. The team defended very well: compact, united, committed, intense,» Ancelotti said.
READ ALSO: Mbappé ‘relaxed’ and ready to play in France’s World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan
“Where the team needs to improve is in possession. The team needs to show the individual quality they have, and we have a lot of that.”
«You can play with four, three or five in attack, but what matters is the quality that is shown on the field. What I really like is the team atmosphere. It is very positive because of the attitude and professionalism of the players.»
Ancelotti also stressed that the team must be united if it wants to win a record-extending sixth World Cup.
«Each of us thinks about the goal, which is very clear: we have to win the World Cup, not be the best player in the world. I want players who think they want to participate in the World Cup to win, and not to be the best,» he added.
Brazil will play another friendly match against Japan at the Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Published on October 9, 2025
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/seth-meyers-taylor-swift-100925-a87198873c23436099359da81aa57542.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1 "Seth Meyers le da a Taylor Swift 2 consejos para la planificación de bodas")
