Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Carlo Ancelotti has welcomed criticism of his Brazil tenure but insisted he would not let that affect him as he continues to build the “new generation” of Selecao players.
Ancelotti made several changes to the side he picked for this summer’s World Cup, a tournament that saw the five-time winners exit against Norway in the last 16.
Only Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos, Bruno Guimaraes, Danilo Santos, Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Endrick and Rayan remained from Brazil’s World Cup contingent for the extended international break, with Casemiro and Fabinho the big names to miss out.
Brazil’s new era began with a 1-1 draw against Australia at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, with Rayan coming to the rescue by scoring a 95th-minute equaliser.
Vitor Reis, Matheuzinho, Mauro Junior and Jair Cunha all made their debuts against Australia last time out, with more new faces expected to be given their chance to shine.
Brazil face Australia again in a second friendly at Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday, and Ancelotti said recent scrutiny of the work he has done since taking charge of the Selecao did not faze him, given he has been under similar pressure throughout his career.
“It’s good to have criticism of the work,” said Ancelotti. “Criticism has always existed and always will.
“It doesn’t affect the idea I have for the future of this national team. Criticism has zero effect on what I think about the future.”
A Seleção Brasileira fez nesta segunda-feira o último treino antes do segundo amistoso contra a Austrália. Foco total para mais um desafio!
x
Amanhã (29)
20h (horário local) | 7h (de Brasília)
— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) September 28, 2026
Ancelotti’s squad selection is partly built around players who are eligible for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, hoping he can use them in his squad for the 2030 World Cup.
In fact, 17 members of the 26-player squad that Ancelotti selected have 10 caps or fewer, though he said the team’s performance was not his main priority.
“The first game, the result is not so important for us,” Ancelotti added. “We are looking for other things: to give space and opportunity to the young players, to the new players.
“So, in this aspect, it was a good game. We could play better, of course; we could play better. But you also have to take into consideration the quality of the opponent.
“Australia did really well. They defended really well. They are really compact. It’s difficult to find space. All these kinds of things.
“The pitch didn’t help us, but Australia didn’t help us either. We are going to compete again tomorrow. Trying to play better.
“But it will be an opportunity for other players, other young players that didn’t play in the first game, but they are going to play the next game. Our priority today is this.
“I would like to better know my players, to have a clear idea when I’m going to choose the squad for the official competitions. I don’t want to [make] mistakes.”
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