Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo: Freedom with Brazil vs. Real Madrid
Concerns are rising about Vinícius Junior, especially following his recent outbursts at Real Madrid. Brazilian journalist Marcelo Barreto hinted at the possibility of Vinícius experiencing a “Neymar-ization,” prompting discussions among fans and analysts.
Despite the scrutiny, Brazil’s manager Carlo Ancelotti remains unfazed. As he announced the squad for upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia, he emphasized that personal issues should not interfere with the game. “I’m not his father or brother. I’m just here to coach him,” he noted.
Ancelotti’s approach is not universally accepted. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) recently hosted an event that Ancelotti attended, which sparked criticism from veterans like former goalkeeper Émerson Leão, who expressed his disapproval of foreign coaches in Brazilian football.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti’s respect for Brazilian football and his attempts to communicate in Portuguese have garnered him support. He is aware that results matter, particularly with the World Cup approaching. Addressing the incident with Vinícius at Real Madrid, Ancelotti revealed that the player recognized his mistake and apologized.
The dynamics at Real Madrid have changed with the arrival of Kylian Mbappé. Ancelotti’s challenge is finding a way to accommodate both stars effectively. Vinícius previously thrived in a more central attacking role, contributing significantly to Real Madrid’s recent UEFA Champions League success. However, with the new formation featuring Mbappé, Vinícius’s role may face competition.
While Mbappé won’t be a factor for Brazil, Ancelotti made it clear that the team’s focus should not be on individual accolades. He urged the players to prioritize winning the World Cup over individual success, a message aimed particularly at Vinícius, who struggled with the fallout from last year’s Ballon d’Or votes.
Reflecting on past missteps, Brazil experienced difficulties in a previous match against Venezuela when Vinícius missed a penalty while trying to assert his importance to the team, leading to a draw. Ancelotti aims to build a unit that prioritizes teamwork and sacrifice. He has encouraged Vinícius to explore the pitch more freely rather than remaining static on the left wing. This includes a shift in positioning, allowing space closer to the opponent’s goal.
Despite strengths, there are challenges with maintaining balance in midfield, particularly if the team opts for a front-heavy setup. The previous heavy-forward strategy, which led to an unbalanced 4-1 loss against Argentina, emphasizes the need for forwards to contribute defensively.
Recent displays by Brazil featured a strong team effort, including a resounding 5-0 victory over South Korea. However, this was followed by a disappointing 3-2 loss to Japan</, raising questions about the team’s ability to maintain structure and performance, especially with a demanding schedule like the upcoming World Cup.
With concerns about Casemiro‘s fitness and age, Ancelotti is yet to find a suitable substitute for the veteran midfielder. Recently, former Liverpool player Fabinho was recalled, and how he performs in upcoming matches will indicate if he can fulfill the role effectively.
The correlation between club dynamics and national team success remains to be seen as Ancelotti, Vinícius, and former Madrid teammates come together. Will this blend replicate the success enjoyed at the Bernabéu?
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