The Carlo Ancelotti era with the Brazilian national team began with uncertainty and criticism. In his official debut as head coach of the Seleção, a goalless draw against Ecuador left mixed feelings among the press and fans, who were expecting a much more convincing start.

As part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Brazilian side showed solid defensive organization but lacked spark in attack. Despite being tactically disciplined and secure at the back, the team failed to break down Ecuador’s defense or create consistent danger in the final third.

Harsh criticism for Ancelotti after underwhelming Brazil debut

Brazil’s main newspapers didn’t hesitate to point out the flaws in the new project. According to Folha de São Paulo, the team displayed "defensive security" but “little creativity in attack.” The outlet even suggested that Ancelotti had to “face the reality” after a week filled with ceremonial welcomes and sightseeing around Rio de Janeiro.

The Italian manager opted for a more compact setup than his predecessor Dorival Júnior, which forced Ecuador to rely on long balls. However, Brazil struggled to progress up the field due to their opponent’s pressing and failed to pose a real threat offensively.

O Globo echoed this sentiment, describing the debut as a “half-full, half-empty glass.” While it praised the defensive improvement, the outlet criticized the 4-3-3 formation chosen by Ancelotti, saying it didn’t allow for offensive transitions. “There was no one to carry the ball forward,” the paper stated, while also calling for patience: “There’s no magic formula to fix this team.”

Estadão also noted that the team’s performance resembled that of Dorival’s era, warning that the Italian coach has “a lot of work ahead” to rebuild a national side that seems to have lost its identity.

Hope now lies in the upcoming match against Paraguay, where the return of players like Raphinha could inject new life into a team still under construction.

With a style still taking shape and expectations running high, Carlo Ancelotti’s debut left more questions than answers. Will the Italian manager manage to leave his mark and restore Seleção’s former glory? Only time and results will tell.