Ancelotti admits Vinicius is struggling as Raphinha earns Brazil praise

Carlo Ancelotti has acknowledged that Vinicius Junior is not currently at his best, while describing Raphinha’s outstanding start to the season with Barcelona as “amazing” ahead of Brazil’s friendly against Australia.

The match at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday will be Ancelotti’s first with Brazil since the World Cup and the first opportunity to see his plans for a new-look Selecao in a competitive setting.

Speaking at a news conference in Townsville on Thursday, the Italian outlined an attacking line-up that includes both Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, alongside Endrick and Estevao.

Hugo Souza is expected to start in goal, with Matheuzinho, Marquinhos, Vitor Reis and Douglas Santos forming the defence. Danilo and Bruno Guimaraes are set to play in midfield, while Estevao, Raphinha, Endrick and Vinicius Junior make up an attacking quartet designed to put Australia under pressure from the opening minute.

Raphinha impresses in unfamiliar role

Ancelotti was particularly positive about Raphinha’s early-season form at Barcelona, where the winger has become one of the club’s principal attacking threats.

“Raphinha is performing amazingly in a position that was not his natural position, although it now seems like it is,” Ancelotti said.

Raphinha has been used as a false nine and has scored 14 goals and provided three assists in eight matches in that role. Those figures have marked him out as one of the most prolific players in the early part of the campaign.

The praise reflected the contrasting form of Brazil’s two prominent wide players, with Raphinha flourishing at Barcelona while Vinicius has endured a less impressive spell.

Ancelotti retains faith in Vinicius

Ancelotti, who previously managed Vinicius at Real Madrid, was direct when asked about the forward’s current level.

“Maybe he is not at his best at the moment, but we are convinced that both of them will be key players in the future,” he said.

Although he accepted that Vinicius is currently below his best compared with his international team-mate, Ancelotti stressed that he remains confident in both players’ ability to shape Brazil’s future. He also made clear that his intention is to use the pair together as regular starters.

A message attributed to Ancelotti on beIN SPORTS’ social media account said: “We are convinced that Vinicius and Raphinha will be essential.”

Friday’s meeting in Queensland will therefore provide the first clear picture of Ancelotti’s Brazil, with Vinicius Junior and Raphinha expected to operate together and Endrick and Estevao adding further attacking quality.