Ancelotti’s Immediate Impact on Brazil’s Defense

Data doesn’t lie: two matches, zero goals conceded. Carlo Ancelotti hasn’t even had time to unpack his suitcase in Rio, but he’s already implemented the defensive structure that made him a Champions League specialist. The 1-0 victory against Paraguay wasn’t just about qualification - it was a blueprint for how this Brazil team will control games.

The Pseudo-9 System in Action

Watching Vinícius Jr. operate as a false nine brought back memories of Ancelotti’s work with Karim Benzema at Real Madrid. The movement between Vini, Raphinha (fresh off suspension), and Martinelli created constant positional rotations that Paraguay’s low block struggled to track. Cunha’s relentless mobility (covering more ground than any attacker at 10.8km) typified Ancelotti’s demand for tactical discipline from his forwards.

Fullbacks as Secret Weapons

The real story was in the wide areas. Wendell and Danilo provided overlapping runs that stretched Paraguay horizontally while maintaining defensive solidity. Our tracking stats show Brazil’s fullbacks completed 87% of their defensive duels - a marked improvement from previous campaigns.

Room for Improvement

Let’s be honest - the final third execution still needs work. Brazil generated 2.3 expected goals but only scored once. As Ancelotti would say in his trademark deadpan: ‘We create, we don’t finish.’ But with the defense now organized (just 0.7 xG conceded total), there’s time to sharpen the attack before 2026.

This isn’t flashy Joga Bonito - it’s efficient, modern tournament football. And if history tells us anything, betting against an Ancelotti team in knockout rounds is never wise.