Ancelotti Hopes Raphinha Can Lift Brazil Against Paraguay After Ecuador Draw

‎Brazil coach, Carlo Ancelotti, expressed optimism that Raphinha will enhance his team’s attacking options in their upcoming match against Paraguay at home.

‎The Italian coach also attributed Thursday’s goalless draw with Ecuador to the poor pitch conditions.

‎Ancelotti’s highly anticipated debut as Brazil manager concluded in disappointment, as his team struggled to a goalless draw against Sebastian Beccacece’s Ecuador in Guayaquil.

‎Despite their talented roster, Brazil was often second-best throughout much of the match.

‎”I think the pitch conditions here made it a bit tricky to play a more intricate game from the back. It was harder to control the ball,” Ancelotti told reporters after the match.

‎”That said, we had two very good chances, with Vinicius Jr, with Casemiro in the second half. Yes, we could’ve done better in attack, but you’ve also got to take into account the strength of the opponent.

‎”Ecuador played a very good game, just as we did… The journeys here are really long, which takes its toll a bit.”

‎The Italian manager, appointed last month, is under considerable pressure as he faces the tough task of guiding the five-time world champions Brazil back to form.

‎The top six teams in the continental standings will qualify directly for next year’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

‎Brazil currently sits fourth with 22 points.

‎They are set to face Paraguay on Tuesday in Sao Paulo, with Barcelona winger, Raphinha expected to return after missing the Ecuador match.

‎”There’s room to improve, of course… I’m sure we’ll improve in attack too, because today we were missing a very important player. That’s Raphinha, who will be back, Ancelotti added.

‎”I think the match against Paraguay will be different, because we will have more opportunities to control the game. We will need to play at a higher tempo, with more movement, more intensity.

‎”I think the quality of the players is very high, so even if we don’t have much time to work, we still have that potential.”