Brazil panics, not Carletto: "You don't win World Cup in first match"
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 14.06.26. | 12:48
Carlo Ancelotti shrugs off criticism after the Selecao's underwhelming display against Morocco
Brazil escaped with a point, but the critics were less forgiving.
Carlo Ancelotti's side looked well below their usual standards in a 1-1 draw with Morocco on Matchday 1, needing a stoppage-time equalizer to avoid what would have been a shock defeat at the World Cup.
While the result kept Brazil's campaign on track, the performance sparked an immediate backlash back home. Brazilian media wasted little time highlighting the team's struggles, with Globo describing the display as far below the level expected of a five-time world champion.
The criticism was hard to argue with. Brazil struggled to control the game, key veterans Casemiro and Marquinhos endured difficult evenings, and it took a moment of individual brilliance from Vinicius Junior to rescue a point.
In Brazil, patience is rarely part of the equation when it comes to the national team. Expectations begin at the semi-finals and end with the trophy. That pressure is one of the reasons Ancelotti was brought in.
Yet the Italian remained characteristically composed after the final whistle.
"We need to review the game again," Ancelotti said. "We were very unbalanced in the first half and a little better after the break. The result isn't bad. You don't win a World Cup in the first match."
"I am not disappointed, but I'm not satisfied either. Morocco are a very good, well-organized team."
The veteran coach also acknowledged that Brazil are still searching for solutions, particularly at full-back, where injuries have forced him to experiment. Former international Felipe Melo was among those to question some of Ancelotti's selections, but the 66-year-old appears unfazed by the noise.
"There is a lot of pressure, and that's natural when you coach Brazil," he added. "Our objective is to reach the knockout stage, and then improve as the tournament progresses. It's a shame we didn't play the way we wanted to."
Brazil may already be under scrutiny, but if there is one man unlikely to panic after a shaky start, it is Ancelotti. Few coaches have navigated pressure better throughout their careers, and he knows World Cups are not won in June.
WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE
First round
Thursday, 11.06.
Mexico - S.Africa 2-0 (1-0)
/Quinones 9, Jimenez 67/
Friday, 12. 06.
South Korea - Czech Republic 2-1 (0-0)
/Hwang In Beom 67, Oh Hyeon-Gyu 80 - Krejci 59/
Canada - B&H 1-1 (0-1)
/Larin 78 - Lukic 21/
Saturday, 13.06.
USA - Paraguay 4-1 (3-0)
/Bobadilla 7 og, Balogun 31, 45+5, Reyna 90+8 - Mauricio 73/
Qatar - Switzerland 1-1 (0-1)
/Khoukhi 90+4 - Embolo 17 pen/
Sunday, 14.06.
Brazil - Morocco 1-1 (1-1)
/Vinicius 42- Saibari 21/
Haiti 0-1 Scotland (0-1)
/McGinn 29/
Australia - Turkey 2-0 (1-0)
/Irankunda 27, Metcalfe 75/
20.00: (1.03) Germany (15.0) Curacao (50.0)
23.00: (2.10) Netherlands (3.45) Japan (3.50)
Monday, 15.06.
02.00: (3.60) Ivory Coast (2.90) Ecuador (2.30)
05.00: (2.00) Sweden (3.35) Tunisia (4.00)
19.00: (1.10) Spain (9.50) Cape Verde (27.0)
22.00: (1.70) Belgium (4.00) Egypt (4.75)
Tuesday 16.06.
01.00: (7.50) Saudi Arabia (4.20) Uruguay (1.47)
04.00: (1.95) Iran (3.35) N.Zealand (4.20)
22.00: (1.47) France (4.50) Senegal (6.75)
***odds are subject to change***