Brazil national team manager Carlo Ancelotti stated on Friday that European clubs can remain calm regarding their star players because player health remains the absolute priority during the current international break.
Ancelotti addressed growing concerns from European sides over whether forwards like Raphinha and Vinicius Junior should travel for upcoming friendlies in Asia against Japan and Singapore, Mundo Deportivo reported.
“The priority always is the player’s health. If he is at 100%, he trains. If he is at 100%, he plays. And in this aspect, we control the minutes he plays,” Ancelotti said.
“The clubs can be calm with the national team. The priority for everyone is the health of the athlete. We always want the athlete to return prepared to play and without injuries,” he added during the pre-match press conference in Singapore.
Asian Tour Fixtures
Brazil faces Japan on Saturday, November 14, at the National Stadium in Singapore for the first of two friendly fixtures this window, Sports Illustrated reported.
This encounter arrives four months after a tense Round of 16 meeting at the FIFA World Cup where Brazil edged a 2-1 victory against a Japanese squad that nearly pulled off an upset, according to Sports Illustrated.
The Canarinha arrive following an Asian and Oceanian tour earlier in the cycle that featured a 1-1 draw and a 4-2 win against Australia alongside a 4-0 defeat of India, Sports Illustrated noted.
Squad Transition Period
Ancelotti announced that the current experimentation phase for the Brazilian squad concludes with these November fixtures after introducing multiple debutants and recalling experienced names.
“It is a trial period that will end with this FIFA international break. The next time, we will better define the squad,” Ancelotti told Mundo Deportivo.
For the matches against Japan and Singapore, the manager called in five debutants: Allan, Jonathan Jesus, Marlon Gomes, Alisson Santana, and André Luiz, Mundo Deportivo stated.
The previous roster for matches against Australia and India featured nine newcomers: Pedro Morisco, Otávio, Mauro Júnior, Jair, Martinelli, Breno Bidon, Arthur Dias, Matheuzinho, and Gabriel Bontempo, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Returning Veterans
Players such as Pedro, João Gomes, Douglas Luiz, and Lucas Perri have rejoined the national team setup after missing out on recent call-ups under Ancelotti, Mundo Deportivo reported.
“We are dedicating all our efforts to making this period a success. It is a transition stage for the national team, a time for new players to emerge, and that is the work we have to do,” Ancelotti said.
“Fans must remain calm, because we are going to form a very strong group of players for the future,” Ancelotti told Mundo Deportivo.
Projected Match Lineups
Sports Illustrated outlined the expected tactical setups for Saturday’s fixture at the National Stadium in Singapore, utilizing a 4-2-3-1 formation for Brazil.
The projected Brazilian starting XI features Bento in goal, supported by a backline of Vanderson, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, and Douglas Santos, Sports Illustrated reported.
Bruno Guimarães and Andrey Santos are slated to anchor the midfield behind an attacking trio of Estêvão, Raphinha, and Vinicius Júnior, with Endrick leading the attack as the central reference point, according to Sports Illustrated.
Japan is expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation anchored by goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, defenders Ayumu Seko, Ko Itakura, and Hiroki Ito, alongside midfielders Ritsu Doan, Kaishu Sano, Daichi Kamada, and Keito Nakamura, with Takefusa Kubo and Takumi Minamino supporting striker Koki Ogawa, Sports Illustrated reported.
Match Details
The international friendly between Brazil and Japan kicks off on Saturday, November 14, at the National Stadium in Singapore.
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