Ancelotti uses Argentina as a warning before Brazil x Norway; understand
Carlo Ancelotti cited the struggle of Argentina, the current world champion, against Cape Verde in the second phase of the World Cup to explain why he expects difficulties for the Brazilian team against Norway this Sunday (5), at 5pm (Brasília time), at the MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford.
The Argentines only managed to qualify in extra time, with a 3-2 victory.
"The World Cup shows this. These are balanced games. Who would have thought that Argentina would suffer against Cape Verde? Nobody. Argentina suffered because, in modern football, you have to face very well-prepared rivals. I don't think this is a problem for Argentina. On the contrary, congratulations to Cape Verde. This helps make football even more beautiful. That's what we will face against Norway", said Ancelotti, in a press conference held this Saturday, 4, at the stadium that will host the match.
Shortly before, Norway's coach, Ståle Solbakken, had named Brazil as the favorite for the match, although he stated that this favoritism would be even greater a few years ago.
Ancelotti will face one of the main strikers in world football, Erling Haaland, as well as midfielder Martin Odegaard, with whom he worked at Real Madrid.
"I don't need to explain how Haaland plays to our defenders. Gabriel Magalhães faced him several times for Arsenal in the Premier League, and Marquinhos has also played against him. We are analyzing all his characteristics, because he is a very dangerous striker", said the coach.
As usual, Ancelotti avoided revealing the lineup. The main question is who will replace Lucas Paquetá, who suffered an injury to his left thigh and is unlikely to play again in this World Cup.
Although he is still undergoing treatment and has not been cut from the delegation, his presence in a possible follow-up to Brazil is considered unlikely. Gabriel Martinelli is the favorite to take over the position, but Danilo Santos also appears as an option.
"Martinelli's defensive characteristics are not the same as Danilo's. Martinelli is a more offensive player. Danilo also scores a lot of goals. We need to put players with different characteristics to maintain good organization when the team attacks", explained Ancelotti.
For midfielder Bruno Guimarães, the choice of Paquetá's replacement also directly influences his role on the field. Leader in assists at this World Cup, with four passes to goal, he admits that he could have a more defensive role.
"It changes depending on who is going to play. The manager trained all the possibilities. I can't comment much, but my role changes. If there is a more offensive player, I will have a different role. If it is a more defensive player, it also changes. It will depend on who the manager chooses", he said.
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Source: CNN