As France netted their second goal at Gillette Stadium, a largely Brazilian crowd erupted in chants for the missing Neymar, reinforcing calls for the inclusion of the Santos star in Carlo Ancelotti’s lineup.
The Brazil coach did not engage with the chants, maintaining that attention should remain on the players on the field during the 2-1 defeat.
“We should focus on those who were here, who played with dedication and effort. I’m pleased with their performance,” the Italian coach stated, also highlighting the intense competition for spots on Brazil’s final World Cup roster.
Neymar’s prospects for the World Cup continue to dim as he battles to regain his form with Santos. However, former teammates, such as Casemiro, remain confident in his abilities.
“We know the immense talent Neymar has. He is vital for any national team, especially when he’s at his best,” remarked the Manchester United midfielder after the friendly in Foxborough, Massachusetts. “In my generation, he is right up there with the likes of Cristiano and Messi. I’m a close friend, but it’s not my place to decide on the squad.”
Though Brazil had Real Madrid‘s Vinícius Júnior and Barcelona‘s Raphinha at their disposal, the team struggled offensively against France. Ancelotti defended Raphinha, explaining that a muscle strain led to his halftime substitution.
“Raphinha performed well. He felt some discomfort at the end of the first half, which required us to take him off, but he created numerous chances and displayed great movement. Vinícius always puts in the effort; he consistently makes a difference. Scoring isn’t everything for a striker, and both of them played well,” Ancelotti asserted.
Raphinha will be assessed on Friday to see if he can participate in Brazil’s upcoming friendly against Croatia in Orlando, Florida, scheduled for Tuesday.
The Italian coach noted some positive elements in the team’s performance, especially in the second half after Luiz Henrique came on, but ultimately couldn’t avoid the loss.
“Today’s match clearly shows me that we can compete with the world’s best teams. I have no doubt about that,” Ancelotti concluded. “We faced a very strong team with significant quality, and we fought until the final whistle, while the opposition resorted to time-wasting tactics. I am convinced we will approach the World Cup with all our energy.”
This report includes information from ESPN Brasil.