Beyond Jogo Bonito: How Carlo Ancelotti Is Defining Brazil’s Identity
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti is shifting the national team away from the traditional “jogo bonito” style toward a pragmatic, possession-regaining system focused on winning. According to reports from The Athletic, this approach prioritizes tactical flexibility and a coordinated press over a rigid aesthetic identity to secure the country’s sixth World Cup title.
Why is Brazil abandoning the “jogo bonito” style?
The era of grainy color footage from 1970 and the flair of the late ’90s is being replaced by a result-oriented philosophy. Carlo Ancelotti has explicitly rejected the idea that the team needs a specific “brand” of football. Instead, he views winning as the only identity that truly matters for Brazil.
Ancelotti told The Athletic that he does not want a clear identity because his team must be capable of multiple tactical shifts. This includes defending with a low block, attacking aggressively, and adapting to the specific quality of the players available for any given match.
How does the “pressing playmaker” system work?
Brazil’s current offensive threat doesn’t just come from individual brilliance, but from a coordinated press. Ancelotti’s side uses a targeted swarm to force errors, effectively making the press their primary playmaker.
Recent match data supports this shift. Against Scotland in Miami, Brazil secured a 3-0 victory by regaining possession in dangerous areas. Ancelotti confirmed that many of their goals stem from tackles and immediate turnovers. This was evident in a warm-up game against Panama, where Rayan and Igor Thiago hunted down goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera to force a mistake and score.
Other examples include:
- Against Egypt: Bruno Guimaraes and Matheus Cunha led high presses that resulted in goals for themselves and Endrick.
- Against Haiti: Lucas Paqueta stole possession from a midfielder to release Vinicius Jr, leading to a Matheus Cunha finish.
What is the “humility” approach to possession?
Contrary to the expectation that Brazil must dominate the ball, Ancelotti has introduced a level of tactical “humility.” This involves standing off opponents and allowing them to maintain possession if it serves a strategic purpose.
During the match against Scotland at the Hard Rock Stadium, Scotland completed more than 400 passes. Brazil didn’t panic. They waited for the right moment to “pick the team’s pockets,” a coordinated effort that often looks like a defender’s mistake but is actually a planned trap.
How does this compare to previous World Cup winners?
Ancelotti argues that Brazil’s most successful recent campaigns were not built on flashiness. He points to the 1994 and 2002 World Cup victories as blueprints for stability. Those teams relied on solid midfield anchors like Dunga and Mauro Silva in ’94, and Kleberson and Gilberto Silva in ’02.
The current contrast is stark. While fans and critics, including Folha de Sao Paulo columnist Idelber Avelar, look for a romanticized version of Brazilian football, Ancelotti is prioritizing a “perfectly-oiled machine” similar to the organization of the Rio carnival. He believes that intensity, rather than style, will define the upcoming tournament in the U.S., especially given the challenges of heat and humidity.
For more on tactical evolutions, see our guide on modern pressing triggers or explore FIFA’s official tournament archives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Carlo Ancelotti want Brazil to play “jogo bonito”?
No. Ancelotti has stated that the goal is not to “play well” in a stylistic sense, but to win. He prioritizes flexibility over a specific brand of football.
Who is the key player in Brazil’s current system?
Vinicius Junior has been central to the team’s success, scoring in every group stage game, though the system relies heavily on the collective press from players like Rayan and Matheus Cunha.
Why did Scotland have so many passes if Brazil was winning?
Ancelotti employs a “humility” tactic, allowing opponents to have the ball to lure them into positions where Brazil can coordinate a press and steal possession.