Real Madrid defender Eder Militao has praised Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical adaptability as Brazil prepare for the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup. Although currently recovering from injury, the central defender has been following the Selecao’s campaign closely and believes the experienced Italian coach has successfully addressed the team’s early weaknesses.

Tactical evolution of the Selecao

Speaking on the Selecao Copa programme, Militao provided insight into how Ancelotti has evolved tactically since taking charge of the five-time world champions. He explained that while Ancelotti continues to experiment in search of the ideal formula, he has managed to build a stable foundation, primarily centred around his trademark 4-3-3 formation, to resolve issues the team faced initially.

“Since he arrived, I think he’s been testing various tactics and players. Now, he’s settled more into a 4-3-3, which is his trademark formation. He tried using only Bruno [Guimaraes] and Casemiro in midfield, but that left a gap. It happened in the first match against Morocco, where we lost control of the midfield. We were at a disadvantage, but he managed to fix it from the Haiti match onwards,” Militao explained. This adjustment proved crucial as Brazil went on to top Group C, notably with a commanding 3-0 victory over Scotland, where the team displayed much-improved coordination and rhythm.

Ancelotti’s management philosophy

Having played under Ancelotti’s guidance at the Santiago Bernabeu, Militao highlighted that the coach’s biggest strength lies in his collaborative approach. Rather than enforcing a strict regime, the Italian tactician values input from his players to fine-tune strategies during demanding situations.

“He’s a very wise guy; he sees things clearly and listens a lot to the players, exchanging ideas. That’s essential. Players can notice things on the field that a coach might not see. Even at Real Madrid, during halftime, he would talk to players, ask questions, and share ideas. This only benefits the team and helps the group grow,” the defender added.

Militao’s caution before Japan clash

Despite Brazil’s encouraging momentum, Militao issued a word of caution regarding their next challenge. Japan, who finished second in Group F, famously achieved their first-ever win over Brazil in 2025—a match where Militao remained on the bench. He believes the Samurai Blue are currently at their strongest and will require Brazil’s utmost concentration.

“I think Japan are having their best year. They’ve found their rhythm and have been improving over time. In this World Cup, they’re proving they belong. We must stay alert—they never stop running. If there’s a tackle to make, they’ll make it. Brazil must be very careful because they have excellent tactical discipline and a strong work ethic,” Militao cautioned.

Keeping the winning rhythm

Echoing Militao’s observations, former Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo also acknowledged Japan’s technical growth. Melo described them as once being “robots” who have now added creativity and intensity to their play. However, he expressed confidence that if Ancelotti’s men maintain the form they showed in the group stages, they should advance without major trouble.

“They are a very organised team, tactically disciplined. Some time ago, I used to call them little robots because they executed everything perfectly. Now, those robots also have technique, along with the intensity they bring. I’m sure it’ll be a tough game for Brazil... but if Brazil can impose their rhythm and play like they did, especially against Scotland, they have every chance to win comfortably,” Melo concluded. Brazil head into the round of 32 with two wins and one draw, hoping to carry their tactical ‘correction’ forward into a deeper run in the tournament.