Ancelotti repeats Tite's defensive strategy and 'closes his house' to become the 'savior' of the National Team

Summary Ancelotti and Tite had positive debuts with the Brazilian National Team, with different styles: the Italian prioritized defensive caution and gradual evolution, while the Gaucho highlighted the offensive sector with immediate results.

Carlo Ancelotti will play his fourth match in charge of the Brazilian National Team this Tuesday, the 9th: for the last round of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup , the Canarinho will go to El Alto, at an altitude of over 4,000 meters, and face Bolivia in search of the last three points in the qualifying tournament.

Since his debut in the green and yellow shirt, the Italian has secured a draw and two victories and ensured the team's early qualification for next year's World Cup , with a style of play marked by caution and tactical evolution: Ancelotti's team has yet to concede a goal.

Although recent, it's already possible to compare the early tenures of Ancelotti and Tite as head coach of the Brazilian national team. Both arrived as unanimous favorites, during periods marked by poor performances and fan distrust, and delivered results that gave the team a boost.

Tite took over the national team on June 30, 2016, and made his debut on September 1, with a solid 3-0 away win over Ecuador. He then went on a winning streak and boosted the team's morale, which arrived at the 2018 World Cup in Russia as one of the favorites to win.

Ancelotti, meanwhile, arrived in Brazil with less time to prepare for the World Cup. Unlike Tite, who demonstrated a focus on attacking from the first game, the Italian has thus far been working gradually, going from a goalless draw to a 3-0 victory, with heavy attacking pressure, over Chile last Tuesday, the 4th, at the Maracanã.

See below the numbers and highlights from Tite and Ancelotti's debuts with the national team:

Expected to take over the Brazilian National Team in 2014, after the 7-1 defeat to Germany and the embarrassing defeat in the World Cup in Brazil, Tite ended up being overlooked by Dunga, who would be making his second stint, and would only arrive at the Canarinho in 2016, after the team fell prematurely in the Copa América under the command of the four-time champion.

In his first match, Tite faced a lofty challenge: facing Ecuador in the altitude of Quito, also in a qualifier. Still, he emerged with a 3-0 victory, with goals from Gabriel Jesus and Neymar Jr., demonstrating a stance that would remain with him for the rest of his time in charge, marked by a clear and strong tactical identity.

Tite also beat Colombia 2-1 in Manaus, Amazonas -- the only match the national team conceded in 2016 under the Gaucho native -- and crushed Bolivia 5-0 in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, with a well-coordinated Brazil side. The coach implemented a fixed, European-style formation, with a game plan based on triangulation and possession, as well as pressure when the team was out of possession.

Ancelotti, in turn, was the major—and final—acquisition of former CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues before his departure. The Italian arrived at the national team after a historic humiliation against their biggest rival, Argentina, in a 4-1 defeat in Buenos Aires that culminated in the dismissal of coach Dorival Júnior.

Ancelotti's arrival also aimed to reconnect the Brazilian national team with its fans, as well as qualify for the World Cup and implement a modern standard within the team.

The goalless draw against Ecuador in Guayaquil served as a 'tactical laboratory' for Ancelotti. Despite their lack of offensive brilliance, Brazil demonstrated technical consistency and, even away from home, were unbeaten by their opponents. The result was also marked by the performance of newcomers like defender Alexsandro and veterans like Marquinhos and Casemiro.

Ancelotti then defeated Paraguay on June 10, in the match that would mark the coach's debut in front of Brazilian fans and seal the team's World Cup ticket. With the help of Vini Jr., the coach's right-hand man at Real Madrid, Brazil emerged with a 1-0 victory at the Neo Química Arena in São Paulo.

Finally, the 3-0 victory over Chile, in front of more than 57,000 fans at the Maracanã stadium, was Ancelotti's 'offensive feat' as manager of the national team. Dominating possession and applying pressure in the opponents' half, the team lacked finishing, but once again showed its cohesion, highlighted by the return of Lucas Paquetá and the tenacity of striker Luiz Henrique, formerly of Botafogo and now of Zenit in Russia.

One of the big differences between Tite and Ancelotti's initial campaigns is the use (or not) of Neymar Jr., with whom the Gaucho formed a great partnership and tried to put an end to the 'drought' experienced by the number 10 in the National Team.

With the Italian, the attacking midfielder was left out of both squads . Ancelotti justifies 'technical decisions' for, so far, not counting on Neymar Jr. and relying on players like Estêvão, Bruno Guimarães, and Lucas Paquetá to create technical attacking opportunities for the national team, without the media pressure that Santos' number 10 brings.

Check out Tite and Ancelotti's first three results with the national team

Tite

• Ecuador 0 x 3 Brazil, September 1, 2016, in Quito: goals by Neymar Jr and Gabriel Jesus (two);
• Brazil 2 x 1 Colombia, September 6, 2016, in Manaus: goals by Neymar, Miranda and Marquinhos (own goal);
• Brazil 5 x 0 Bolivia, October 6, 2016, in Natal: goals by Neymar, Phillippe Coutinho, Filipe Luís, Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino;

Carlo Ancelotti

• Ecuador 0 x 0 Brazil, June 5, 2025, in Guayaquil;
• Brazil 1 x 0 Paraguay, June 10, 2025, in São Paulo; goal by Vinícius Jr.;
• Brazil 3 x 0 Chile, September 4, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro: goals by Estêvão, Lucas Paquetá and Bruno Guimarães;