Carlos Ancelotti Says India Match Proved To Be A Critical Game For The Young Players
The manager praised the 60,000-strong crowd for their deep love of the sport, noting that they were mostly supporting India but sometimes cheered for Brazil's goals
Xtra Time Newsdesk: Following Brazil's 4-0 victory over India at a packed Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, head coach Carlo Ancelotti reflected on a highly positive FIFA international window. Addressing the energetic atmosphere, the manager praised the 60,000-strong crowd for their deep love of the sport, noting that they were mostly supporting India but sometimes cheered for Brazil's goals. Ancelotti characterized the fixture as a "good game, entertaining, good intensity," proving to be a vital test for his squad's ongoing progression.
The match served as a critical platform for blooding youth, providing young talents a vital stage to prove their long-term worth. Ancelotti clarified that the fixture was "not an exam but an opportunity to show their quality," ensuring that the commission left this three-game block "quite satisfied." He specifically noted the development of players like Jair and Pedro, emphasizing that these matches are crucial because "players who do not have minutes in the clubs have more difficulty to play a competitive game."
Analyzing the opposition, the Italian tactician commended the Indian team's structured approach. "They tried to play their game, they defended, they were organised, they tried to play counter-attack," Ancelotti observed. He admitted that Brazil "had difficulty to open the score," but noted that Estêvão's opening goal allowed them more opportunity to control and better the game.
Defensively, while pleased with a clean sheet, the coach remained pragmatic about his newly formed backline. "Obviously, we have to improve some mechanisms in defense. We have a new defense that has never played together. It could be that not everything was perfect," he admitted. Looking ahead to the next cycle in November against Japan and Singapore, Ancelotti concluded that he now has a "much clearer idea" of his squad. Before departing, he extended a warm message to Kolkata, stating, "we are happy to be here. We try to do our best... I hope they enjoy the night."