Did Ancelotti make a mistake? Neymar's entry exposes Brazil's crisis in the World Cup
The elimination of the Brazilian team to Norway reignited the debate about Carlo Ancelotti's tactical choices during the match. For Itatiaia commentator Edu Panzi, the coach's work in the second half was "very bad", especially after Neymar entered the field.
According to Panzi, Brazil's first half was positive. "Brazil produced enough in the first half to go to half-time leading by one or two goals," he said. The problem, in the commentator's opinion, was the loss of the penalty and the several wasted chances, which turned Norwegian goalkeeper, Orjan Nyland, into the main player of the first stage.
Neymar's entry and the offensive collapse
The decision to play Endrick was considered understandable by Panzi, who assessed that the player fulfilled the role of putting pressure on the opposing defense and preventing the defenders from advancing into the midfield.
However, Neymar's arrival later completely changed the team's offensive structure. "From the moment Neymar enters the field, Ancelotti annihilates the Brazilian offensive system and brings great comfort for Norway to transform this ball possession into chances", declared the commentator. Furthermore, the substitution removed Vini Jr. from positions close to the goal.
Panzi also highlighted the difference in efficiency between Brazilian strikers and Erling Haaland. "Haaland, if you throw a refrigerator at him inside the area, he turns the refrigerator into a goal", he compared.
The commentator recalled that Brazil already had players with this profile, but that the current attackers need multiple opportunities to score - chances that, in this match, were created and wasted.
Problem goes beyond the field
For Edu Panzi, the Brazilian team's crisis is not limited to one match or an isolated technical decision. "The football we have been delivering for over a decade is average," he said.
The commentator pointed out that instability off the field, with multiple changes of coaches in the same World Cup cycle, directly reflects on performance within the four lines. "The error is all off the field and the reflection is clearly on the field", he said.
Panzi defended that Ancelotti receives continuity in his work and freedom to end cycles with national team players. For the commentator, the advancement of Brazilian football necessarily involves recognizing its own problems. "You only start to fix a problem once you accept that you have a problem", he concluded.
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Source: CNN