Top News

Coach Carlo Ancelotti has stated that Brazil will require “mind, heart, and a clear idea” for their Round of 32 encounter against Japan at the World Cup. Having enjoyed success in knockout tournaments with major European clubs, he underscored the unpredictable nature of such matches and expressed confidence in the readiness and belief of his team.

“For tomorrow’s game (Monday), we need many things: mind, heart, and a clear idea. We have to be prepared for everything that can occur in a knockout tie, and in these matches, anything can happen. The team is prepared, motivated, confident, and has performed well in the last two games. The team is ready for whatever comes our way,” Ancelotti remarked during a press conference on Monday (28), the day before the match.

Ancelotti also drew attention to the advantage of having an experienced squad with strong World Cup credentials — among the 26 players selected, 15 have previously participated in at least one edition of the tournament.

“This isn’t a playoff tie; it’s a knockout — nothing more. There is no second leg. Brazil is lucky to have several experienced players in this regard. In terms of experience, the team is very strong, and these players know exactly how to prepare for a game like this. In that respect, I’m very confident,” he added.

Carlo Ancelotti at a press conference with the national team in Houston on the eve of the Round of 32 clash against Japan at the World Cup Credits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Japan will be the first opponent Brazil face twice under Ancelotti’s management. In October last year, the Seleção played a World Cup warm-up friendly in Tokyo, which ended in a 3-2 defeat.

Despite that loss, Ancelotti said the experience was valuable and praised Japan’s quality ahead of their upcoming meeting on Monday (29). The match is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. Brasília time at Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas, United States.

“It was a good experience for us and showed that Japan have a competitive squad — one of the best in the world. They beat England in March, and we have complete respect for them. We are preparing for this game as if it were a final. And indeed, it is a final,” he stressed.

“It’s the World Cup. Football is about how well you handle pressure while maintaining focus on what you can do on the pitch. We will concentrate on every aspect — attacking, defending, and playing as a unit. This game demands that approach. We will face a strong opponent, one that is organised and technically gifted. Above all, we must have a clear idea of what we want to achieve on the field,” he concluded.

Carlo Ancelotti at a press conference with the national team in Houston on the eve of the Round of 32 clash against Japan at the World Cup Credits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF