The reading in the Brazilian team’s dressing room was that the 1-1 draw with Morocco exposed a start to the World Cup marked by nervousness and lack of emotional control, a pattern that was repeated in the interviews after the match played on Saturday (13), at the Metlife Stadium, in East Rutherfod, New Jersey.
The internal assessment of the athletes themselves is that behavior on the field needs immediate adjustment for the sequence of the competition, especially in the knockout games. In the group that still includes Haiti and Scotland, the confrontation with the Moroccans was treated as the toughest test of the first phase, with the weight of it being the debut.
“We have to be self-critical and know that we can do much better,” said Alisson.
Carlo Ancelotti’s charge in the dressing room reinforced this diagnosis. “The manager didn’t like it at all”, reported the goalkeeper, in line with the internal review speech.
More than the draw, the way Brazil was dominated in part of the first half was bothersome. “We have to be grateful because the first half ended 1-1”, recognized full-back Danilo.
Morocco took advantage of the team’s disorganized start and came to control the actions until Vinicius Junior’s goal, when Brazil managed to balance the match.
The draw also showed that Brazil entered the World Cup disconnected from the rhythm expected for a team contending for the title.
It also lacked intensity. This was evident in the performance of Casemiro, 34, substituted at half-time on the grounds that he was already suspended with a yellow card. In the 45 minutes on the field, the midfielder had difficulty keeping up with the Moroccan aggression and was exposed in several moves.
Upon leaving the stadium, when asked about the substitution, he denied that it was a decision motivated by tactical or physical reasons, attributing the change exclusively to the card. With Fabinho on the field, Brazil gained more marking power in midfield.
The scenario opens up a dilemma for Carlo Ancelotti, especially in the context of the knockout stages, when the team must face opponents of similar or greater intensity to Morocco. A possible change in the sector would imply removing one of the leaders from the squad at the beginning of the competition.
As Brazil’s next opponent in the World Cup is Haiti, the group’s weakest opponent, the coach has the ideal scenario to justify testing the team. The clash will be on Friday (19), in Philadelphia.
In addition to the midfielder, Ibañez, Paquetá and Igor Thiago are also at risk of leaving the team due to their poor performances against the Moroccans.
The formation of the team for the confrontation with the Haitians will begin to be designed this Monday (15). The day after the World Cup debut, the coaching staff’s schedule only provided for regenerative training for those who started the match and gym sessions for the other players.
This week’s activities at CT Columbia Park, in Morristown, New Jersey, will still be surrounded by anticipation about Neymar’s return to the pitch.
Last Friday (12), when commenting on the progress of the recovery process from the muscle injury in the number 10’s right calf, Ancelotti said that he is almost ready to join the team.
“Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible. The expectation is that he can return to the group next week. His technical quality is indisputable, but also the experience and example he presents to the rest of the group”, said the Italian.
In the game against Morocco, even though he was unable to play, he remained on the bench. During the hydration breaks, the number 10 tried to give guidance to his teammates, especially Vinicius Junior.
The number 7, however, was perhaps the only one who left Brazil’s debut without having his confidence shaken.
