Ancelotti's strategy driving Brazil's success at World Cup

Brazil, the five-time world champions, have long been expected to win every tournament they enter. However, a two-decade drought without a World Cup title has seen the 'Football Wonderland' searching for lost glory.

In a rare move for Brazilian football, the team was handed over to a foreign coach, Carlo Ancelotti, the former Real Madrid boss. Under the Italian's guidance, the team is chasing the elusive 'Hexa' at the ongoing World Cup.

One of the most significant changes under Ancelotti has been in tactics. Of Brazil's 33 goals under his tenure, eight have come from winning the ball near the opponent's box — meaning one in every four goals has resulted from high pressing.

Instead of dropping deep to defend, Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha are now pressing intensely in the opponent's half, forcing mistakes and launching quick counter-attacks.

This strategy was clearly visible in the 3-0 win over Scotland, where Brazil's first two goals came from winning the ball in the opponent's half. Vinicius also had another goal ruled out by VAR from a similar situation.

Ancelotti emphasises this approach in training, with drills where one group tries to retain possession while the other attempts to win it back. The same message is reinforced in pre-match video analysis and tactical briefings.

Ancelotti said the team's problem was never a lack of will but a lack of quality. "Most of the goals we've scored have come from winning the ball in the opponent's half," he said after the Scotland match.

Statistics show Brazil have forced their opponents to lose possession 108 times in the group stage. The strategy also allows the team to conserve energy, as players don't have to track back deep into their own half, while creating quick goal-scoring opportunities.