Ancelotti reveals Neymar is fit and ready to face Scotland

Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami ahead of Brazil’s final group-stage match against Scotland. The press conference had to be delayed due to weather disruptions, though that did not stop the Italian from smiling a few times about it: “It’s a vivid, new experience. We had a small problem, but it’s a very nice experience to hold a press conference at 9 p.m.”

The coach was quick to deliver the good news: Neymar is ready and could see his first minutes of the World Cup. “Neymar is available, he worked well this week and prepared well for the match. We are all very happy; his quality can bring a lot to the team. He can play the 90 minutes, he’s doing well, he worked very well and trained well. I’m very happy with him,” he said.

He focused on emphasizing his importance within the squad and how he had helped his teammates over the last few weeks. “Neymar’s attitude these days has been very good. He knows his teammates very well, works very well and with great seriousness. I try to recover him as much as possible. I’m very happy with him. He brings experience and knowledge of the game. He’s doing very well.”

On the match against Morocco: “Obviously, we won’t focus on the match against Morocco, but on the match we have to play; we have to do it well. Try to improve after the match against Haiti; Scotland is very well organized and has the opportunity to improve its position in the group.”

On Raphinha’s replacement: “We’re not thinking about anything other than playing a good match with the best possible lineup; the same applies to the forwards. We are clear on who is going to replace Raphinha; there’s no reason to think about yellow cards.”

On Scotland: “They are a physically strong team with a very clear strategy. They usually play a 4-4-2, with many long passes, and look to create chances through numerous crosses. It’s a match we need to control in that aspect.”

On the match: “We have to try to repeat the first half against Haiti, have intensity on the ball, be accurate with our passing and avoid mistakes. That’s the line we must follow. The team is improving in training and I trust we’ll continue to improve.”

On the right flank without Raphinha: “It’s one of those details, obviously yes. Rayan, when he came on to replace Raphinha, played a good match; Rayan has a lot of potential in that aspect. I have other players who can adapt to this system, but if we have width, Rayan can do it.”

On Vini, Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland: “I think so; in the last match we also counted on Cunha, who did very well. We have potential in attack, we have to take advantage of it, just as other teams count on fantastic players.”

On changing the system: “I think the strategy will be the same one we used against Haiti, exactly the same. Try to control the match, have quality play in midfield and a good buildup from the back.”

On Paquetá and Casemiro: “They have a lot of experience and quality. We count on a lot of experience in midfield. We have a complete team, I’m very satisfied with them; we have different characteristics, but the players have adapted better to our style.”

On playing in Miami: “Tomorrow we will have great support, just like we did in New Jersey and in Philadelphia. We’ll have more support and more energy.”

On the team: “I’m satisfied, but we have a very big commitment, which is to fight for this Cup. We started well in the first match, in the second game we were better. We are confident that the third match will be even better.”

On the team’s development: “We are focused on trying to improve in every match we play. I think if we play a good match tomorrow, we’ll be in a good situation for the knockout stage that will begin.”

On Scotland and their system: “It’s going to be a difficult match, Scotland has quality, they are fighters and they have good organization. They are very good players. McGinn has a lot of experience, it’s going to be a difficult match, as always. It had been a long time since Scotland played in a World Cup, and it’s also been a long time since we won the World Cup.”

On whether Endrick will start: “Endrick can play every match, he can play the next match, and he can play at any moment because he has the ability to do so. The fans support Endrick a lot, but tomorrow we also have Neymar. Are they going to support Neymar or Endrick? I think they are going to support both.”

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