Ancelotti Says Brazil Were 'Nervous' In 'Tough' Opening Draw
EAST RUTHERFORD (New Jersey), June 14 (Bernama-dpa) -- Carlo Ancelotti did not enjoy his first World Cup game as a coach, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.
His Brazil side, the record five-time champions, lumbered to a 1-1 draw against 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in New Jersey. The final is also in the stadium outside of New York but on this evidence, the Seleção will not be there.
"The match, especially in the first half, was tough. We were nervous, we lost possession a lot, and there was little balance on the pitch," the Italian, who won a raft of trophies in European club football, told reporters on Saturday.
"The things we did well in the two friendlies didn’t go to plan in the first half. We need to keep working to build a more balanced and more attacking team up front."
A neat goal by Ismael Saibari put the Atlas Lions ahead on 21 minutes before Vinícius Júnior levelled just after the half hour with a fine finish of his own.
Brazil last won the men's World Cup in 2002 and have flattered to deceive ever since. If they do not lift the trophy in North America, it will be the longest drought since they first triumphed in 1958.
But Ancelotti offered hope for worried fans ahead of their second C game against underdogs Haiti on Friday.
"The second half was much better. The team will improve in the next game," he said.
"We mustn’t lose confidence. In a first World Cup match, anything can happen. The team wasn't going to be perfect in the first match."
Whether icon Neymar will be fit for the Haiti game in Philadelphia remains to be seen after being ruled out against Morocco with a calf problem.
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi showed how far his side have come following their 2022 heroics given he was disappointed not to beat the World Cup's most iconic team.
He told FOX Sports: "We still have to improve with every game, and that's what we're focusing on right now. We have to keep going, build on the positives and learn from our mistakes."
-- BERNAMA-dpa
