Carlo Ancelotti downplays Brazil's defeat: 'It is just a single match'

Match result leaves Brazil only in 5th place in the Qualifiers.

Brazil's defeat to Bolivia was the first in the Carlo Ancelotti era. The game was also the first of the four with the Italian in charge in which the national team conceded a goal. But, after the match, the coach downplayed the result, which in his assessment was directly impacted by the altitude of El Alto.

"Today's game (Tuesday) was a unique match. We tried, but the game was very complicated for us." Ancelotti said, who held a quick press conference at the El Alto Municipal Stadium.

"Now we don't have much to do. We have to think about the next game, prepare well for the next two friendlies, and continue with our goal of preparing well for the World Cup." Added the coach, referring to the friendlies in October, against South Korea and Japan, in Asia.

Carlo Ancelotti also recognized the strength of Bolivia playing on their home ground. Even so, he complained about off-field actions. In the final stretch of the game, Lucas Paquetá had to stop play because the ball was deflated; another ball was thrown onto the field during a Brazilian attack; and Bruno Guimarães almost got hit by a cup of water thrown by the crowd.

"Football was a bit different from what is normally done on the pitch. Bolivia's objective was very big, congratulations to them, but there are officials who have to control that, not the players, the coach, the president... The officials on the pitch, off the pitch, have to control that." Ancelotti pondered.

See other points from Ancelotti's interview after Bolivia 1:0 Brazil

Selection games in September

"A most special period of interest was getting to know all the players, the CBF environment, and the dressing room environment. The team is on the right track to arrive well-prepared for the World Cup."

Chances of Brazil in the World Cup

"I think that based on what the team has been doing in our games, I have the utmost confidence in the team, in the squad, in the players. We're going to have a successful World Cup, we're going to fight every game. Today's game was very special, in every sense. VAR decided the penalty, not the referee. These are things that, obviously, can be improved to have a better game on the field."

Will those called up for the first time have new opportunities?

"It's definitely yes. I want to give minutes to everyone because they worked well this week. We played a fantastic match against Chile at the Maracanã. Happiness returned to the fans. I wanted to use this match to give playing time to players who have worked very well and, obviously, they will have other opportunities."