Carlo Ancelotti continues to adjust Brazil’s lineup as he balances fitness concerns, tactical changes and final preparations for the match against Egypt. In defense, the Italian coach is managing the physical wear of his starters after Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães played in the Champions League final last Saturday. Gabriel, the Arsenal defender, appears especially fatigued, and because of that Léo Pereira has been training with the starting group and could receive an opportunity.
At right back, Wesley is currently the starter, but Ancelotti has also experimented with alternatives. In Wednesday’s training session, he used Danilo in that role for part of the work, while still keeping Wesley on the field in a more advanced and wider position on the left, similar to how he often plays for Roma. This shows the coach is still evaluating different ways to use his fullbacks depending on the opponent and the needs of the team.
The midfield core remains stable, with Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães consistently part of the preferred lineup. Even so, the structure around them has changed during training. On Wednesday, Ancelotti tested a three-man midfield that included Lucas Paquetá, but on Thursday he returned to a more familiar 4-2-4 shape. The coach appears to be deciding whether to add more control in the middle or preserve Brazil’s attacking width and pace.
The biggest questions may be in attack. After impressing again in a recent appearance against Panama, Igor Thiago has trained with the starters throughout the week and is expected to start against Egypt. He is the only natural center forward in the squad and his possible inclusion would mark an important shift in Brazil’s approach, since Ancelotti had not been using a traditional number 9. With Igor Thiago leading the line, Brazil could gain a more direct reference point in attack and a different way to build offensive moves.
Around him, Ancelotti has tried two attacking setups. In one, Brazil used three forwards, with Igor Thiago centered, Vinícius Júnior on the left and Raphinha on the right. In another, he introduced Rayan into the previous four-man attacking system. These experiments suggest that the final attacking combination is still open, even if Igor Thiago seems to have moved ahead in the race for the starting role.
There have also been tests in goal. While Alisson remains the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, Ancelotti gave Ederson 45 minutes against Panama and has already indicated that Weverton will play against Egypt. The changes reflect a broader rotation process as the coach assesses his options before locking in his preferred team.
Overall, Brazil’s preparation under Ancelotti has been marked by rotation, physical management and tactical experimentation, especially in defense and attack, as the coach searches for the best formula ahead of the Egypt match.
