Brazil lacks passion, Ancelotti faces a headache.

Carlo Ancelotti's debut for the Brazilian national team didn't go as planned.

The 0-0 draw against Ecuador in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on the morning of June 6th was not a disaster. But for Brazil, and for Carlo Ancelotti on his debut with the national team in his illustrious coaching career, it was a worrying sign.

It wasn't about the scoreline, but about the repetition of an old problem: Brazil lacked identity, ideas, and the courage to impose themselves on a disciplined opponent who wasn't superior in quality.

The debut match - and the first headache.

Ancelotti wasn't the first to take charge of the "Selecao" during a period when Neymar – their brightest star – was absent or out of form. But he was the first to bring the hope of rebuilding, the hope of connecting a new generation that was fragmented into separate, distinct personalities.

With his impressive collection of club titles, Ancelotti was expected to bring calmness, organization, and effectiveness. But against Ecuador, all those qualities existed only… in theory.

Ancelotti opted for his familiar 4-3-3 formation, with Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, and Gerson controlling the midfield, and Vinicius Jr. and Estevao up front. On paper, this was a lineup that combined experience and youth. But the reality on the pitch revealed a stark truth: Brazil had possession, but didn't know what to do with it.

From the very first minutes, Ecuador didn't need to control the game, but they still made Brazil struggle. The home team played with a low defensive line, focusing on disrupting Brazil's play and waiting for mistakes from their opponents. Not flashy, not flamboyant, but full of calculation and composure.

Meanwhile, the "Selecao" played disjointedly, with lines lacking connection, and the ball rarely getting through the midfield without being intercepted. The midfield trio appeared slow, lacking creativity and failing to control the tempo. Casemiro, returning to the national team after a long injury layoff, still showed effort but was no longer the defensive "sweeper" he was at his peak. Gerson and Bruno made little impact as they were neutralized by Ecuador's fast and pressing midfield.

Brazil is still lacking ideas.

The standout player in the match was an Ecuadorian: Moises Caicedo. The Chelsea midfielder played with maturity, intelligence, and exceptional effectiveness. He not only disrupted Brazil's play but also served as the starting point for his team's quick counter-attacks. At 22 years old, Caicedo demonstrated the composure and class of a midfield leader that Brazil was lacking.

Caicedo overshadowed both Casemiro and Bruno Guimaes, something few people would have predicted before the match. It was this dominance in the midfield that allowed Ecuador to maintain balance, and even gain the upper hand at times, despite only having moderate possession.

Amidst the team's deadlock, Vinicius Jr emerged as a glimmer of hope in attack. With his speed and dribbling ability, the Real Madrid player created several dangerous situations on the left wing. He constantly troubled the Ecuadorian defense, but lacked a partner with enough chemistry to convert his individual plays into goals.

Estevao, despite high expectations, is still too inexperienced at the national team level. The chosen center forward, Richarlison, also lacks the sharpness to capitalize on opportunities.

And as an inevitable consequence, Brazil didn't have many significant shots on goal. Except for Casemiro's near-miss after a scramble in the penalty area, the rest of the "Selecao" were disappointingly lackluster.

The harsh truth - and a lesson for Ancelotti.

Ancelotti is no ordinary coach. He has coached proud teams, handling personalities even bigger than the current Brazil squad. But national team football is a completely different world . There's no time for experimentation, no long season to fix mistakes, and no room for drawn-out beginnings.

Brazil needs organization, consistency, and a clear playing style to build a foundation. Ecuador – not a top team – has just proven they have it. And the "Selecao" still lack it.

Ancelotti faces many challenges ahead.

Ancelotti will certainly make changes, but he needs to decide soon: who will he build the team around, in what style, and with what goals? Playing a "pass the ball to Vinicius and wait for a miracle" style is not a long-term strategy. Nor can he continue to operate a midfield lacking creativity and options for attacking through the center.

Brazil has talent – that's undeniable. But like any great team, their problem isn't individual quality, but rather a lack of collective direction.

A draw might be forgotten in the flow of football, but for Ancelotti, it was the first warning – gentle but stern. Without a real overhaul of tactics, organization, and mindset, his tenure with the "Selecao" will not last as long as expected.

In South America, reputation alone isn't enough. Brazil doesn't need a coach who's a legend in history; they need someone to redraw the map of glory. And Carlo Ancelotti – if he doesn't start doing that today – might just be a lost name in the chaotic journey of modern Brazilian football.

Source: https://znews.vn/brazil-thieu-lua-ancelotti-dau-dau-post1558654.html