Anshuai: A draw at Real Madrid turned into a crisis, I believe Alonso can win
6686 Sports reported on November 13 that Brazilian team coach Carlo Ancelotti recently accepted an exclusive interview with "AS". In the interview, he looked back on his glory days at the Santiago Bernabeu and talked about Vinicius, Rodrigo, Neymar, and his successor Alonso.
Brazil has not been on top of the world for many years. How do you deal with this pressure?
Actually, I am enjoying it now. The job is more leisurely-paced and more about observation than high-intensity intervention. Although there is not much practice time - this is actually the same in the club era because the schedule is too intensive. But I delve into it every day: understanding the current situation of Brazilian football, the culture, and even the atmosphere of the country.
Brazilian fans have always been known for their enthusiasm, but the national team has performed poorly in recent years. Do they still have confidence in the World Cup?
Their enthusiasm never fades. Regardless of whether the club or the national team competes, the stadium is always full and the fans are fully engaged. Everyone dreams of Brazil returning to the top. This love for the national team will become an important force in our campaign for the World Cup.
You have recalled Casemiro, which is seen as a key decision.
This position is difficult to replace. Casemiro is not only a leader, but also the core of the team. He has been in excellent competitive form since his return and is an indispensable member of our team.
Was Vinicius's reaction after being substituted in the El Clasico wrong?
He did make a mistake that day. But he has apologized. Now he is one of the most important figures in the lounge and must learn to take on greater responsibilities. The coach has the right to make substitution decisions based on competition needs, which is part of professional football.
Did not winning the Ballon d'Or affect his mentality?
Maybe there was a little bit of an impact, but now he's back on track and doing really well. Pooh has a strong character and will not be knocked down by criticism. He is always looking forward. I believe he will be in top form for the World Cup.
Rodrigo previously revealed to us that he hit a personal low at the end of last season, and it was his family, his faith... and you that helped him get out of it.
Everyone goes through hard times. At the time I just understood his situation and tried to be supportive. Now he is in good competitive shape and full of motivation, which is completely different from a few months ago.
Does Neymar still have a chance?
No one can deny his talent, but he has been plagued by injuries in recent years. Now that I have just returned to the competition, I still need to restore my physical fitness to compete. Modern football is extremely physically demanding and he has to do it step by step.
Considering Brazil’s record in recent years, is it unrealistic to dream of winning the World Cup?
We have the strength to compete for the championship. The goal is a sixth World Cup! Of course, strong teams such as Spain are also favorites, but we have to dream.
Did you know that Alonso would become an excellent coach?
You can definitely see it. Whether at Real Madrid or Bayern, he has shown a deep understanding of the game. I firmly believe he can do a good job.
Although Real Madrid currently leads La Liga and performs well in the Champions League, he is still criticized. What advice would you give him?
I don’t need to give him advice. I watch every Real Madrid game (especially the Brazilian players) and the team is in good shape. You can't win every game in football, and it's normal to have an occasional draw. But in Real Madrid, a draw might be called a "crisis" (laughs). This is reality. But look at the results: La Liga tops the list and the Champions League is firmly among the top eight - what more can we ask of him?
Do you believe he can win at Real Madrid?
Without a doubt. The team's defense is solid and their attack is sharp. Mbappe is in excellent form and Bellingham has returned. He is fully capable of leading Real Madrid forward.
