In 2002, Emerson, Brazil’s captain, was injured on the eve of Brazil’s debut against Turkey. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari wasted no time and called Ricardinho. Now, just a few days before his World Cup debut, against Morocco, on Saturday, it was Wesley who experienced the drama of the cut, after suffering an injury to his left leg. With few options for the flanks, Ancelotti called on midfielder Éderson, from Atalanta.
The coach guarantees that he already has practically all the starters in mind for the debut, but the Italian probably won’t be sleeping peacefully. The games against Panama and Egypt showed that he has versatile athletes on his hands who can play in more than one position. The scenario, however, makes it difficult for the group to interact, which is essential for success in a World Cup.
Going back to 2002, Felipão built the team throughout the competition and I mention Kléberson who only won the starting spot after the clash against Belgium in the round of 16. Ancelotti must still be in doubt about the composition of the players in midfield. In the first half of the friendly with Egypt, Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Paquetá and Raphinha played more centrally, leaving the sides without protection. A positive point of the game was the excellent pressure marking.
In any case, there is no more time to look at the drawing board, the team needs to enter the field with the weapons it has and trust in the group’s evolution during the “bloated” 2026 World Cup.
This weekend, the Moroccans, Brazil’s first opponents, drew 1-1 with Norway. They will reach the World Cup unbeaten in 29 matches. The French, favorites for the title, lost to the Ivory Coast 2-1. Deschamps’ team takes the field today against Northern Ireland, in Lille, at 4:10 pm (Brasília time), in the last friendly match, before leaving for the United States. Apparently, some doubts also haunt the European coach’s mind.
