Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has placed strong emphasis on his young players ahead of Friday’s clash with Australia in Townsville, naming his entire starting XI a day before kick-off.
The five-time World Cup winners will face the Socceroos at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in the first of two international friendlies, with the second meeting scheduled for Brisbane on 29 September.
Ancelotti confirmed his XI at a press conference on Thursday.
“Tomorrow (today), Hugo Souza, Matheuzinho, Marquinhos, Vitor Reis, Douglas Santos, Danilo, Bruno Guimarães, Estêvão, Raphinha, Endrick and Vinícius will play,” Ancelotti said.
After revealing his line-up, the Italian coach joked: “But don’t get used to it!”
The match is part of Brazil’s preparations for a new cycle, with Ancelotti keen to give valuable minutes to a group of emerging players.
“This FIFA window is important, with new players, new young players,” Ancelotti said. “We’re continuing—it’s not that we’re starting a new project. We’re continuing the work we’ve done until now and trying to improve it. The group is good, we have quality young players.”
Chelsea youngster Estêvão is among those being given an opportunity to develop at international level. Ancelotti stressed that the 19-year-old remains important to Brazil even when he is not getting regular minutes for his club.
“He is a very important player for the national team,” Ancelotti said.
“For us, Estêvão, like the other young players, is very, very important. Even if he isn’t playing, if he isn’t getting minutes for his club, I’m going to call him up because we think he’s very important for the future.
“And we’re going to allow him to improve his development.”
Australia are also using the two matches to prepare for the 2027 Asian Cup.
The Townsville fixture kicks off at 4 pm Bangladesh time.
