Brazil's head coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his team's calm and strength after the Seleção came from behind to beat Japan and secure a spot in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
The five-time champions seemed set to leave the tournament early as they trailed 1-0 at halftime in their Round of 32 match. But a strong second-half performance, thanks to Ancelotti’s smart changes and steady leadership, helped Brazil turn things around and claim a memorable win.
After the match, the experienced Italian manager commended his players for staying calm even when they were behind.
"We didn’t lose patience. Things were already going well in the first half. In the second half, we put more crosses into the box. We have a lot of options on the pitch and on the bench. Japan aren’t easy opponents; they’re well-organised and very intense," Ancelotti said.
The former Real Madrid C.F manager recognized that mistakes happen in football, but he emphasized that how the team reacts is what matters most.
"You make mistakes in football. It’s impossible not to make mistakes because no one’s perfect. But we know how to keep going. That’s what the team did very well in the second half. Nobody thought we’d fail to score. The mental side of things is important. It’s normal to suffer, especially in the modern game."
Ancelotti had to make a halftime substitution after Lucas Paquetá got injured, bringing in Endrick, which turned out to be a key move. The young forward brought energy and a strong attacking presence against Japan’s solid defense.
Midfielder Bruno Guimarães noted that Brazil had a hard time breaking through Japan’s tight formation in the first half.
"It was very congested, and we didn’t have space to play our game. They defended in a 5-4-1, making it difficult for us to penetrate. At halftime, the coach told us to be more imposing and get more bodies into the box, and that’s where the goal came from."
Even with the tactical adjustments, Ancelotti's main impact seemed to be the confidence he gave his players.
He also chose not to take out Casemiro, who had been booked early in the game and was at risk of getting another card. This decision paid off when the veteran midfielder scored Brazil’s equalizer in the 56th minute.
Casemiro, who brought the score level, shared that Ancelotti’s message at halftime focused on keeping belief.
"He asked us to stay calm because we were pressing well and creating pressure high up the pitch. He told us the chances would come. The team deserves a lot of credit for our mentality because we kept attacking."
Brazil eventually completed their comeback with a thrilling stoppage-time goal from Gabriel Martinelli, marking the Seleção's first comeback win in a World Cup knockout match since they beat England 2-1 in 2002.
As the Brazilian bench erupted in joy after the winning goal, Ancelotti remained calm, showing the mindset he had instilled in the players.
Martinelli praised the veteran coach’s steady confidence for helping Brazil turn the game around.
"Ancelotti is a surreal guy. At halftime, he gave us confidence and told us we would score and come back. He said it didn’t matter when the goal came. We could feel his calmness, and it relaxed all of us."
Brazil’s comeback not only highlighted their ability but also the impact of one of football’s most successful managers, whose experience and calmness once again proved key at a major tournament.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇