The Brazilian National Team debuted under Ancelotti with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador on Thursday night (October 5). With the Italian coach, a familiar figure returned to wear the iconic yellow jersey after 1 year and 7 months. The last time Casemiro represented his country on the pitch was during the loss to Uruguay in October 2023. Despite a lacklustre team performance, the Manchester United midfielder managed to shine brightly.
Casemiro proved to be the most pivotal player in Brazil’s midfield on Thursday evening. Wearing jersey number 5, he effectively shielded Alisson’s penalty area with 9 ground duels and 4 aerial duels, winning every single one. Moreover, the midfielder maintained remarkable discipline by committing zero fouls, even in a match marked by intense physical demands.
During his 90 minutes on the pitch, Casemiro allowed himself to be dribbled past by Ecuadorian players only twice, showcasing his defensive resilience in the National Team’s midfield. However, what stood out the most was his offensive zeal. Casemiro was responsible for two of Brazil’s three shots during the match.
First, he struck a ball from just outside the box, which ended in a save by the goalkeeper, and later, he missed a header in another attempt. The team’s other chance came through Vinicius Júnior, who aimed directly at the keeper during an opportunity inside the box.