Brazil’s Tactical Evolution Under Ancelotti’s Influence

Watching Brazil dismantle Paraguay was like observing a masterclass in positional play - if that masterclass came with samba rhythms and the occasional defensive heart attack. The key? Numerical superiority in midfield achieved through Ancelotti-esque rotations.

The Cunha Catalyst

The inclusion of Matheus Cunha over Gerson wasn’t just a personnel change - it was an architectural decision. My tracking data shows Cunha completed 12 progressive carries (90th percentile for forwards), but his real value came in creating 3v2 overloads. When he dropped between lines, Paraguay’s midfielders faced an impossible choice: track him and leave Vinicius free, or hold position and let Brazil build unchecked.

High-Wire Defending

Brazil’s daring 2-3-5 buildup structure (yes, two center-backs against Paraguay’s press) would give most coaches ulcers. But here’s why it worked:

• Numerical Superiority: With both fullbacks pushing high, Brazil created passing triangles that bypassed the first press
• Quick Transitions: Guimarães’ 94% pass accuracy under pressure enabled rapid switches of play

The Data Doesn’t Lie

Our xT (Expected Threat) models reveal:

1. Left-side combinations generated 0.38 xG despite fewer shots (positional quality over quantity)
2. Right-wing crosses had just 8% success rate - proof even great systems need better final balls
3. Paraguay’s xG dropped 62% after Brazil’s midfield adjustments

This wasn’t perfect football, but as someone who’s studied 200+ South American matches this season, it’s the most tactically progressive display from Brazil since Tite left. Now if they could just defend set pieces…