Coach Ancelotti predicts Brazil will have difficulty against Scotland
Coach Carlo Ancelotti emphasized that Brazil will face many challenges when meeting Scotland, a team that is highly appreciated for its fighting and organization.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti has warned the Brazilian team not to expect an easy match against Scotland, as both are aiming to qualify for the knockout round at the World Cup. After drawing 1-1 with Morocco and beating Haiti 3-0, Brazil - who have won five world titles - are almost certain to progress to the next round regardless of the result of next Wednesday's match, although they may need a win to top the group.
The supercomputer Opta predicts Brazil has a 62% chance of winning Group C and a 26% chance of ranking second (12% of placing third). Morocco, also on four points, has a 35% chance of finishing top of the group and avoiding a difficult round of 32 match against Group F's winner - likely the Netherlands. Brazil have never lost more than five matches in their first 60 World Cup group matches (42 wins, 13 draws), but all three of their most recent defeats came on the third day of competition, against Portugal in 1966, Norway in 1998 and Cameroon in 2022.
Coach Ancelotti predicts that the match against Scotland will not be easy. "It will be a difficult match. Scotland have quality, they are fighters and well organised," Ancelotti told reporters. "They have good players like [Scott] McTominay, [John] McGinn, all experienced players. The easy World Cup match is long gone. We are ready for a tough match."
Brazil have had 20 shots in the past two matches (12 against Morocco, 8 against Haiti), with an average of 10 shots per match currently the lowest in their history at a World Cup (since 1966). They hope the return of all-time leading scorer Neymar will create more motivation for the attack, after he had to sit out the first two matches due to a calf injury. Neymar has not played for Brazil since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in an international match at the end of 2023, but Ancelotti believes he is ready to start.
"Neymar is available, he has trained very well this week, he is fit and ready to play. We are happy to have him back, he is a high quality player," Ancelotti said. "He can play half the game or the whole 90 minutes. He is doing very well, has worked hard, so he is ready. His attitude is very good, the mood is very good, he is a good player and teammate, very serious and we want to get him back playing as soon as possible. He brings experience and understanding; he is doing very well.",
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