Ancelotti: The team played poorly in the first half because I think they were too nervous

After the 1-1 draw against Morocco in the first group stage match of the FIFA World Cup, Brazil national team coach Ancelotti attended a press conference and answered questions from reporters. The following is a transcript of his remarks.

Reporter: Mr. Ancelotti, I'm Julio Cesar from Portal Agora Mandaguari and Maringa Communication Group. Why did the Brazilian team perform so poorly in the first half, being completely dominated by Morocco? Do you think the Brazilian team still has time to adjust and recover, and become competitive again in this FIFA World Cup?

Ancelotti: I think this match, especially the first half, was very difficult. Because I think the team was a bit too nervous, lost possession a lot, and lacked balance on the field. The second half was much better. It was a difficult match, but the team will be better in the next game.

Reporter: Ancelotti, I'm Pedro Ivo from ESPN. You just said the first half was very difficult and the second half was better. Do you think the starting lineup in the first half didn't work, and the second half was better due to adjustments? Did these changes provide you with some direction for the upcoming FIFA World Cup matches?

Ancelotti: I didn't quite understand, could you repeat that?

Reporter: I mean, did the adjustments in the second half provide direction for the upcoming FIFA World Cup matches?

Ancelotti: No, first we need to evaluate what happened in the first half. The team didn't play well. The team had some problems with balance and lost possession a lot. We must improve in these areas. The second half was better. But we cannot lose confidence, because anything can happen in the first FIFA World Cup match. We cannot expect the team to be in perfect condition in the first game. We got this result, which is not bad. We will fight for the next game. The FIFA World Cup is not won in the first game.

Reporter: Mr. Ancelotti, I'm Raíza Simplício from Placar magazine. Brazilian football and Brazilian fans have always been accustomed to and liked the number 9 striker – the one who stands at the front and is responsible for scoring goals. The team created some chances in the second half today, but failed to score a second goal. Igor Thiago started, while Endrick did not play. Do you think Endrick can be such a player? Why didn't you let him play today? After all, the Brazilian team needs goals.

Ancelotti: I don't want to evaluate individual players. I'm talking about the whole team. The team didn't play well in the first half and played better in the second half. We created some chances. But we must improve our finishing ability.

Reporter: Mr. Ancelotti, I'm Luis Prospero from "Prospero Channel on the FIFA World Cup." What aspects of the Brazilian team's performance today were you satisfied with? What performances did you approve of?

Ancelotti: Sorry, I can't hear very well.

Reporter: I'm asking about the positive aspects, what did you approve of?

Ancelotti: The team fought until the last minute. The positive aspects are obvious. At the same time, we clearly know what needs to be improved. We did well in the previous two warm-up matches, but we couldn't do that in the first half today. We must continue to work hard to make the team more balanced and more aggressive.

Reporter: Mr. Ancelotti, I'm Eduardo Gabardo from Rádio Gaúcha. In your initial assessment of this FIFA World Cup opening draw, for the team to improve its performance, can it be achieved through communication and tactical adjustments, or must there be changes to the starting lineup and player selection?

Ancelotti: I must use the entire squad, not just rely on the same group of players. I said yesterday that the starting lineup would not be the lineup that finishes the game. I think the players did their best and played a good game.

Reporter: Hello coach, I'm Nasreddine Nasri from Canal+ French channel. Are you satisfied or disappointed with this result? Also, which Moroccan player impressed you the most?

Ancelotti: I'm neither disappointed nor satisfied. Now is the time to continue working. This is normal. Morocco played well, they are a very well-organized team. It was a tough game.

Reporter: Mr. Ancelotti, I'm Amadeu Maia from SPT Television and CIC Internacional. Do you think this draw in the first FIFA World Cup match will affect the team's morale?

Ancelotti: Absolutely not. For many reasons, the first game may not go as you expect. But we must keep moving forward and prepare seriously for the next match. The goal is to qualify, get through the group stage, and keep improving as the tournament progresses.

Reporter: I'm Giulia Flores from Rede TV. We saw that the team's coordination was significantly better in the second half. Why did it take you so long to make substitutions?

Ancelotti: Well... I made two substitutions in the 45th minute, and another in the 59th minute. Understand? Substitutions at 45 minutes, then again at 59 minutes. I don't think I wasted time on substitutions.

Reporter: Carlo, this question is in English. Can you talk about the importance of the hydration break? As a coach, how do you use this time to help the team make changes? Because the team looked completely different before and after the first hydration break.

Ancelotti: I think the hydration break is important. Because it's an opportunity for you to explain to the players the problems in the game. I think this is a tactical aspect. It's a very good moment.

Reporter: Hello Professor, I'm Márcio Bernardes from "Resenha Bam Bam Bam." In yesterday's press conference, you hinted that Matheus Cunha would start, and Danilo would play at right-back, but today's lineup surprised many people. Many reporters in the press box were surprised by Brazil's starting lineup. It is undeniable that the team improved in the second half. But there has already been a lot of criticism in Brazil, which you must already know, because major websites are reporting it. What do you think of today's lineup choice and these criticisms? Are Brazilian fans too demanding?

Ancelotti: If the team doesn't play well, they should accept criticism. We must accept criticism. I think the starting lineup was carefully considered. Because we have been training with this idea. In my opinion, it was the correct starting arrangement. I will not direct criticism at individual players. Criticism should be directed at the team as a whole for not playing well in the first half.

Reporter: Mr. Ancelotti, I'm Moisés Abrantes from Rádio e Televisão Cidade de Cabo Verde. Are you satisfied with the Brazilian team's performance today? Is your confidence still firm?

Ancelotti: My confidence is completely firm. In football, not everything can go perfectly. When things don't go as planned, constructive criticism must be made to improve the problems. We will do this, we will get better. This is just the beginning of the journey.

Reporter: Coach, I'm a reporter from Italpress, an Italian news agency. Although the Italian team couldn't be here, all of Italy was supporting Brazil today. How do you feel about the support from Italy?

Ancelotti: I feel very good. I'm very happy that Italians are supporting the Brazilian team. I hope we can also make Italian fans happy.

Reporter: Coach, is your main eleven for the FIFA World Cup the same as today's lineup? Or will you adjust it based on different opponents? Will what happened in today's match affect the choices for the next match?

Ancelotti: It's possible to change. It depends on the characteristics of the opposing team.

Reporter: Good evening, Carlo. I'm Paolo Tomaselli from Corriere della Sera. I want to ask about Vinicius. He scored a very brilliant goal. How important is it for him to open his scoring account so quickly?

Ancelotti: He played very well. He was always a threat. I believe he has everything it takes to have a great FIFA World Cup.

Reporter: Mr. Ancelotti, I'm Aline Fanelly from Band News FM. After the match, we interviewed some players, and they repeatedly mentioned anxiety. Why does this emotion affect the Brazilian team's performance?

Ancelotti: We must evaluate this. It is indeed possible to happen. The pressure is already very high. But we will improve in this aspect little by little.

Reporter: Last question. More than 70% of the fans at the stadium tonight supported the Brazilian team. Why do you think we didn't see the "Samba football" and Brazilian atmosphere that people expected today?

Ancelotti: I think it's a very beautiful thing that so many fans came to support the team. It's a pity that we didn't play the game we wanted.