Brazil’s Right-Back Crisis: Ancelotti’s Biggest World Cup Concern

 

When I watched Brazil’s opening World Cup match against Morocco, I saw a tactical flaw that overshadowed their usual flair. The Selecao didn’t just lose the midfield battle; they were completely exposed on the right side of defense. For a squad that opened at 9.00 before the tournament with Roobet and now sits at 15.00 in the live outright market, this structural issue is a serious red flag.

 

Morocco controlled the tempo for the first 15 minutes and looked dangerous even without the ball. At GoalBible, I’ve analyzed the advanced data, and the midfield matchup tells a clear story. Ayyoub Bouaddi and Neil El Aynaoui dominated the center, while Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes failed to progress possession or bring any composure to Brazil’s midfield. Casemiro’s performance was poor, but one of his teammates had an even worse night.

 

Al-Ahli’s Roger Ibanez started as the right-back after Wesley withdrew with an injury. This was a risky move by Carlo Ancelotti, and my honest assessment is that it backfired badly.

 

Attacking Output Was Nonexistent

 

Ibanez is a center-back by trade. That fact alone explains some of his struggles against a fast, skillful team. Ancelotti might keep him there against Scotland because those opponents don’t carry the same wide threat. But from what I saw, Ibanez hurt Brazil on both ends of the pitch.

 

With the ball, Ibanez was hesitant. He didn’t drive forward or break lines with his passing. The few times he tried a risky pass, it failed.

 

The opening goal came from his mistake. Lucas Paqueta received the blame for losing possession, but the pass Ibanez fed him was the real problem. It put Paqueta in a tight spot with no options.

 

Morocco’s setup forced Brazil to attack down the right. Brahim Diaz stayed higher than Bilal El Khannouss, which meant the left side was blocked. Brazil had to play through Ibanez and Paqueta, and nothing productive came from that flank. As a result, the defense resorted to long balls toward Igor Thiago and Raphinha. It was a dead end.

 

Defensive Concerns

 

You’d expect a central defender to at least be solid in his own box, but Ibanez looked lost. Mobile defenders usually handle tricky wingers better, yet he struggled to track runs. Thankfully for him, Morocco attacked more through Mazraoui and El Khannouss on their left. If they had targeted Ibanez more, the damage could have been greater.

 

The Squad Decision That Makes No Sense

 

Danilo came on in the second half and brought some stability. But he’s 34, has an injury history over the last 18 months, and has played primarily as a center-back for years. His value is mostly in leadership. Ancelotti knows him from their previous club and might trust him to start, but that’s a short-term fix that won’t hold up in the knockout rounds.

 

The squad decision that puzzles me most is the replacement for Wesley. Ancelotti called up midfielder Ederson instead of a natural right-back. Right now, the options are Ibanez, Danilo, or maybe Fabinho. Fabinho hasn’t played right-back regularly since his Monaco days. He also subbed in for Casemiro and actually helped Brazil improve, so his best use might be in midfield.

 

Ancelotti already lost Eder Militao to injury in April and then Wesley at the last minute. He chose to stick with a center-back at right-back instead of calling up a specialist. From my perspective, that’s a gamble that could define Brazil’s tournament. Morocco just gave every future opponent a blueprint.

 

Bet on the World Cup with Roobet

 

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FAQs

 

1. Who played right-back for Brazil against Morocco?

Roger Ibanez, a centre-back who plays for Al-Ahli, started at right-back for Brazil against Morocco. He got the nod after Wesley withdrew from the squad due to injury.

 

2. What happened to Brazil's original right-backs?

Eder Militao has been out injured since April. Wesley was initially in the squad but withdrew at the last minute due to injury. Ancelotti chose not to call up a specialist replacement.

 

3. Can Danilo solve Brazil's right-back problem?

Danilo came on in the second half against Morocco and provided more stability. However, he is 34 years old, has struggled with injuries over the past 18 months, and has played mainly as a centre-back for years. He's a short-term fix, not a tournament solution.

 

4. What are Brazil's World Cup odds at Roobet?

Brazil is priced at 15.00 to win the 2026 World Cup at Roobet. However, their right-back issue is a clear structural weakness that opponents in later rounds could exploit.

 

5. What teams are in Brazil's World Cup group?

Brazil is in a group with Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. The remaining fixtures against Scotland should be easier, which might give Ancelotti time to sort out the right-back position.