Latam Sports: Ancelotti On Raphinha, WC Nine Days Away

2026-06-05 07:00:36

(MENAFN- The Rio Times)

Carlo Ancelotti gave his first press conference at Columbia Park on Thursday morning and led with a declaration about Raphinha rather than Neymar: “When it comes to attacking space in behind, he is the best in the world.”

Brazil are also working on a three-man midfield structure in training, a tactical shift from the 4-2-3-1 used against Panama, with the Morocco opener now nine days away.

The World Cup begins in six days: Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca on June 11. Six South American nations are in the field, with Ecuador opening against Ivory Coast in Philadelphia on June 14 and Argentina facing Algeria in Atlanta on June 16.

On the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana front, Brazilian clubs enter a summer of dual-calendar pressure: the first CONMEBOL knockout legs begin August 11-13, before the Brasileirão resumes on July 22..

Today's Headlines June 4, 2026

EVENT	STATUS	ANGLE
Ancelotti press conference, Columbia Park	Done	Raphinha“best in world”; 3-man midfield; Paquetá TBD
Brazil tactical shift: 3-man midfield	In training	Gabriel, Marquinhos, Bremer/Wesley at back
Neymar update	Rehab only	Must compete with Vini, Raphinha; plays through middle
World Cup countdown	6 days	Opens June 11; six LatAm nations; Brazil June 13
Ecuador schedule correction	Confirmed	Opener vs Ivory Coast, Philadelphia (not Mexico City)
NBA Finals Game 2 (tonight)	8:30 PM ET	Spurs must respond; series 1-0 Knicks; Frost Bank Center

Ancelotti Calls Raphinha the Best in the World at His Job, Hints at Three-Man Midfield for Morocco

Brazil WC

Carlo Ancelotti opened his Thursday morning press conference at Columbia Park by redirecting the conversation away from Neymar and toward Raphinha, the player he described as“the best in the world” at a specific skill.

“What I ask of him is to stay close to the defensive line because I believe that, when it comes to attacking space in behind, he is the best in the world,” Ancelotti told reporters.“I'm never going to tell Raphinha where he has to play when we have the ball.”

The practical meaning: Ancelotti wants Raphinha deeper than a traditional right winger, close to the last line, so he can burst in behind on the transition rather than receiving the ball already facing the defence.

It is a positioning cue designed to exploit Morocco's high defensive line (a team that defended at the 2022 World Cup with extraordinary discipline) but whose back four can be exposed in behind if the trigger is right.

On Lucas Paquetá: Ancelotti confirmed his role is still under discussion but indicated the West Ham midfielder will play closer to his natural position as an attacking midfielder or second striker, not as a wide winger.

On formation: training sessions this week have featured a three-man midfield with Bruno Guimarães, Paquetá, and Casemiro between the lines, behind Raphinha, Endrick or Matheus Cunha, and Vinicius Júnior.

This is a departure from the 4-2-3-1 used against Panama, and Ancelotti acknowledged it without confirming which shape Morocco will see on June 13.

“Until the tournament, I want to leave some mystery,” he said.“Neymar's situation is finished, so what else would we discuss?”

On Neymar: when the Santos forward returns from his Grade 2 calf injury, he will have to“compete” for a starting role against Vinicius and Raphinha. Ancelotti was specific about where that competition lies.

“Neymar has to play through the middle,” he said.“He is not a winger; if he is fit, we will find the best way to use him.”

A subplot from the press conference: reports emerged that Davide Ancelotti, Carlo's son and assistant coach, is in advanced negotiations with Lille over a head coaching role.

If the move is confirmed before the World Cup ends, it would be a notable disruption to Brazil's backroom staff mid-tournament.

KEY STAT: Ancelotti Columbia Park presser: Thursday June 4, ~10:00 AM ET. On Raphinha:“when it comes to attacking space in behind, he is the best in the world.” Tactical hint: 3-man midfield (Guimarães, Paquetá, Casemiro) being trialled in training; different from 4-2-3-1 vs Panama. Neymar:“through the middle,” must compete with Vinicius and Raphinha for starting role when fit. Morocco opener: June 13, 6:00 PM ET, New York-New Jersey Stadium. Egypt friendly (final tune-up): June 6, Cleveland, 6:00 PM ET.

Brazil vs Morocco on June 13: What the Tactical Preview Tells Us Nine Days Out

Analysis

Brazil and Morocco train 15 minutes apart in New Jersey, use the same roads, and open the World Cup against each other on June 13 at 6:00 PM ET.

They have been watching each other's sessions indirectly, through the same club-level footage databases every national team analysis department uses, since the draw paired them in December.

Morocco, under coach Mohamed Ouahbi, are not the same team that reached the 2022 semi-finals under Walid Regragui, but they carry the same structural DNA: a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 that defends as a tight mid-block, presses in organised waves, and is lethal on quick transitions through Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal on the flanks.

Their defensive average of 0.7 goals conceded per game across 2024-25 competitive football is one of the tournament's best markers.

The Raphinha positioning Ancelotti described on Thursday is designed precisely for this context: a deep starting position means Raphinha is rarely in an offside trap, he gives Casemiro or Guimarães a short option to recycle, and his burst into space in behind targets the gap that opens between Morocco's wide centre-back and their right full-back when the block shifts.

The three-man midfield hint raises an interesting question about Morocco's 4-2 pivot: with Guimarães, Paquetá, and Casemiro, Brazil could dominate the second line and reduce Morocco's ability to press high without leaving space behind their 9 and 10.

Morocco's most dangerous counter-attacking weapon is Sofiane Boufal's left foot in transition; Vinicius Júnior's defensive tracking is the primary variable Brazil's coaching staff will be working on this week.

Neymar's potential availability by match day adds a further dimension: if Ancelotti can use him even for 30 minutes off the bench, the positional chaos he creates in tight spaces against a mid-block could be exactly what Brazil need in a game that may well be decided in the final quarter.

Neither team has lost a group-stage World Cup opener in their last four tournaments. One of those streaks ends on June 13.

KEY STAT: Brazil Group C: vs Morocco June 13 (6pm ET, NY-NJ Stadium), vs Haiti June 19 (9pm ET, Philadelphia), vs Scotland June 24 (6pm ET, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami). Morocco: 0.7 goals conceded per game across 2024-25. Brazil: Raphinha to attack deep behind line per Ancelotti; 3-man midfield trialled (Guimarães-Paquetá-Casemiro). Morocco training: The Pingry School, Basking Ridge NJ, 15 mins from Brazil's Columbia Park, Morris Township.

Ancelotti press conference Columbia Park Morris Township New Jersey June 4 2026 Raphinha“best in the world attacking space in behind” Paquetá attacking midfielder second striker not winger three-man midfield Bruno Guimarães Casemiro trialled training Neymar“through the middle” compete Vinicius Raphinha starting role“until tournament mystery” Morocco lineup“not very different Panama” Davide Ancelotti Lille advanced negotiations assistant coach disruption Brazil vs Morocco June 13 6pm ET New York-New Jersey Stadium MetLife East Rutherford Group C 0.7 goals conceded Morocco Ouahbi 4-2-3-1 4-3-3 mid-block Ziyech Boufal Sofiane transition Raphinha deep position Casemiro Guimarães second line Vinicius tracking Egypt friendly June 6 Cleveland 6pm ET Haiti June 19 9pm ET Philadelphia Scotland June 24 6pm ET Hard Rock Miami Ecuador correction Sebastián Beccacece not Félix Sánchez opener Ivory Coast June 14 Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia 7pm ET not Mexico City Curaçao June 20 Arrowhead Kansas City 8pm ET Germany June 25 MetLife 4pm ET Group E Germany Curaçao Ivory Coast CONMEBOL second qualifiers five World Cups Willian Pacho PSG Moisés Caicedo Chelsea Piero Hincapié Arsenal Enner Valencia Copa Libertadores R16 first legs August 11-13 Flamengo Cruzeiro Palmeiras Cerro Porteño Mirassol LDU Quito Corinthians Rosario Central Fluminense Rivadavia Brasileirão resumes July 22 Copa Sudamericana playoffs July 21-23 Boca O'Higgins Vasco Medellín Santos playoff NBA Finals Game 2 tonight 8:30pm ET Frost Bank Center San Antonio ABC Spurs must respond series 1-0 Knicks Fox ankle Wembanyama ankle status both training

Football

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Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay: Correcting the Record and Setting the Stage

World Cup

Two errors from yesterday's edition require correction before the tournament begins.

Ecuador's coach is Sebastián Beccacece, not Félix Sánchez as this column stated. Beccacece led Ecuador to second place in CONMEBOL qualifying, above Colombia, Uruguay, and the rest, and below only defending champions Argentina, conceding just five goals across the entire 18-game campaign.

Ecuador's group-stage opener is vs Ivory Coast on June 14 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at 7:00 PM ET, not at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City as stated yesterday.

Ecuador's full Group E schedule: vs Ivory Coast (June 14, Philadelphia, 7pm ET); vs Curaçao (June 20, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, 8pm ET); vs Germany (June 25, New York-New Jersey Stadium, 4pm ET).

The Ivory Coast opener is the decisive game for Ecuador's group-stage prospects. Germany are near-certain group winners; a win over Ivory Coast on matchday one opens the path to the Round of 32, while a defeat makes the Curaçao game a must-win and Germany a potential elimination match.

Willian Pacho (PSG) and Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) are the squad's two highest-profile European club names. Piero Hincapié (Arsenal) anchors the left side of defence.

On the other South American nations: Colombia (Néstor Lorenzo, Group K: Uzbekistan June 17, Portugal June 23, DR Congo June 27) open in Mexico City against Uzbekistan; Uruguay (Bielsa, Group H: Saudi Arabia June 15, Cape Verde June 21, Spain June 26) face Saudi Arabia in Miami; and Paraguay (Garnero, Group D) open against the United States on June 12 in Inglewood, California: SoFi Stadium, not Kansas City as stated in the June 4 edition.

Argentina (Scaloni, Group J) face Algeria on June 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

CORRECTIONS: (1) Ecuador coach: Sebastián Beccacece (not Félix Sánchez). (2) Ecuador opener: June 14 vs Ivory Coast, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 7pm ET (not Mexico City). (3) Paraguay opener: June 12 vs USA, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA, 9pm ET (not June 15 in Kansas City). Editions affected: June 4.

The Summer Bracket: How Brazilian Clubs Navigate the Libertadores, Sudamericana, and Brasileirão in Seven Weeks

Libertadores

While the World Cup dominates the next five weeks, the Brazilian club calendar is stacked with pressure on the other side of the break.

Here is the sequence that Brazilian club football faces once the World Cup ends:

July 21-23: Copa Sudamericana playoff first legs

Vasco, Santos, and Bragantino are all in action before a single Brasileirão ball has been kicked since May 31. For Vasco, the most precarious of the three in league terms, the first leg at São Januário against Independiente Medellín is simultaneously their first game back from the pause and a knockout tie that could define their financial season.

July 22: Brasileirão Round 19 begins

The domestic competition restarts the day after the Copa Sudamericana first legs. Three clubs (Vasco, Santos, Bragantino) play a knockout continental tie one day before their league campaign resumes.

The scheduling pressure is immediate and unavoidable.

July 28-30: Copa Sudamericana playoff second legs

Two Brasileirão rounds will have been played before the second legs. A club that starts the league slowly (particularly Vasco, who enter the pause in the relegation zone) could be navigating a continental knockout tie while already under points pressure at home.

August 11-13: Copa Libertadores Round of 16 first legs

Six Brazilian clubs return to CONMEBOL action before the end of the Brasileirão's first post-pause month. Mirassol's first leg in Quito is the standout fixture; Flamengo travel to Belo Horizonte to face Cruzeiro in an all-Brazilian tie that doubles as a Brasileirão rivalry game.

August 18-20: Copa Libertadores Round of 16 second legs

By this point, Brasileirão Round 22 or 23 will have been played. Brazilian clubs that advance to the Libertadores quarter-finals will have accumulated a punishing August: three to four Brasileirão games plus two Copa Libertadores legs in approximately 10 days.

Palmeiras, Flamengo, and Corinthians all have the squad depth to manage this. Mirassol, Fluminense, and Cruzeiro will need to be more careful about rotation.

KEY STAT: Copa Sudamericana playoff first legs: July 21-23. Brasileirão resumes: July 22 (Round 19). Copa Sudamericana playoff second legs: July 28-30. Copa Libertadores R16 first legs: August 11-13. Copa Libertadores R16 second legs: August 18-20. Brazilian clubs in Libertadores R16: Flamengo, Palmeiras, Mirassol, Cruzeiro, Corinthians, Fluminense. Brazilian clubs in Sudamericana playoffs: Vasco, Santos, Bragantino (plus Atlético Mineiro).

Six South American Nations: Complete World Cup Group-Stage Schedule

Standings

DATE	MATCH	VENUE	ET
Jun 12	USA vs Paraguay	SoFi Stadium, Inglewood CA	9pm
Jun 13	Brazil vs Morocco	NY-NJ Stadium, East Rutherford	6pm
Jun 14	Ivory Coast vs Ecuador	Lincoln Financial, Philadelphia	7pm
Jun 15	Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia	Hard Rock Stadium, Miami	6pm
Jun 16	Argentina vs Algeria	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta	TBD
Jun 17	Colombia vs Uzbekistan	Estadio Azteca, Mexico City	TBD
Jun 19	Brazil vs Haiti	Lincoln Financial, Philadelphia	9pm
Jun 20	Ecuador vs Curaçao	Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City	8pm
Jun 21	Uruguay vs Cape Verde	TBD	TBD
Jun 23	Colombia vs Portugal	TBD	TBD
Jun 24	Brazil vs Scotland	Hard Rock Stadium, Miami	6pm
Jun 25	Ecuador vs Germany	NY-NJ Stadium, East Rutherford	4pm

All times ET. Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay matchday 3 venue/times TBD for some fixtures, confirmed from NBC Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports and Al Jazeera. World Cup opens June 11: Mexico vs South Africa, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, 3pm ET.

NBA Finals Game 2 Tonight: Spurs Must Win in San Antonio to Level the Series

NBA

The San Antonio Spurs lost Game 1 at home 105-95 and face a must-win situation in Game 2 tonight at the Frost Bank Center at 8:30 PM ET on ABC.

No team in NBA history has come back from 0-2 down to win the Finals from home-court advantage; the Spurs need to stop the slide tonight.

The key injury updates: both Wembanyama (left ankle scare in Game 1) and De'Aaron Fox (right ankle sprain) trained on Thursday and are expected to play. Brunson (right knee, left ankle) is confirmed fit for the Knicks.

Wembanyama's Game 1 line of 26 points and 12 rebounds does not tell the full story; he shot 6-of-21 and committed 6 turnovers against a Knicks defensive scheme that funnelled him away from the rim.

Mitch Johnson's adjustment will be the story entering Game 2: whether he can find a way to get Fox more involved as a secondary ball-handler and relieve the defensive doubling on Wembanyama.

Result and full analysis in tomorrow's edition.

KEY STAT: Game 2: tonight, 8:30 PM ET, Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, ABC. Knicks lead series 1-0. Wembanyama and Fox both trained Thursday, expected to play. Brunson confirmed fit. No team has come back from 0-2 at home in the Finals. Game 3: Monday June 8 at Madison Square Garden, New York.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

What did Ancelotti say about Raphinha and Brazil's formation for the Morocco game?

At his Thursday press conference at Columbia Park, Ancelotti described Raphinha as“the best in the world at attacking space in behind” and said he wants the Barcelona winger positioned close to the defensive line rather than high up the pitch, so he can burst in behind Morocco's backline on transition.

On formation, training featured a three-man midfield: Guimarães, Paquetá, and Casemiro, a shift from the 4-2-3-1 used against Panama. Ancelotti declined to confirm the shape, saying:“Until the tournament, I want to leave some mystery.”

Paquetá leans toward attacking midfielder rather than wide player. Neymar will play“through the middle” when fit, competing with Vinicius and Raphinha for a starting role.

When does Ecuador play at the 2026 World Cup and who is their coach?

Ecuador are coached by Sebastián Beccacece, who guided them to second place in CONMEBOL qualifying (behind only Argentina), conceding just five goals across 18 matches.

Ecuador are in Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Curaçao. Schedule: June 14 vs Ivory Coast (Philadelphia, 7pm ET); June 20 vs Curaçao (Kansas City, 8pm ET); June 25 vs Germany (East Rutherford, 4pm ET).

Key players: Willian Pacho (PSG, two-time UCL champion), Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea), Piero Hincapié (Arsenal).

What is the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana schedule for Brazilian clubs after the World Cup?

The Copa Sudamericana playoff first legs (Vasco vs Medellín, Santos, Bragantino vs Sporting Cristal, Atlético Mineiro) are on July 21-23, one day before the Brasileirão resumes on July 22.

The Copa Libertadores Round of 16 first legs (Flamengo vs Cruzeiro, Mirassol vs LDU Quito in Quito, Palmeiras vs Cerro Porteño, Corinthians vs Rosario Central, Fluminense vs Independiente Rivadavia) follow on August 11-13, with second legs August 18-20. Brazilian clubs face a compressed schedule of continental football before and alongside the Brasileirão's post-pause rounds.

Related coverage: previous Latin America Sports Daily (June 4: Libertadores R16, Brazil-Morocco neighbours, Copa Sud playoffs) · May 29: Neymar Grade 2 confirmed, Boca eliminated · Brazil Elections 2026 guide.

Latin America sports June 4 2026 Ancelotti Columbia Park Morris Township press conference Raphinha melhor do mundo espaço nas costas defesa attacking space behind best world 4-2-3-1 3-man midfield Guimarães Paquetá Casemiro trialled training Paquetá attacking midfielder second striker not winger mystery Morocco lineup Neymar through middle compete Vinicius Raphinha Davide Ancelotti Lille negotiations Brazil Morocco Group C June 13 6pm ET NY-NJ Stadium East Rutherford Ouahbi 0.7 goals conceded mid-block Ziyech Boufal Ecuador correction Sebastián Beccacece not Félix Sánchez opener Ivory Coast June 14 Lincoln Financial Philadelphia 7pm ET Curaçao June 20 Arrowhead Kansas City 8pm ET Germany June 25 MetLife 4pm ET CONMEBOL second qualifying only Argentina above Willian Pacho PSG UCL Caicedo Chelsea Hincapié Arsenal Enner Valencia Paraguay correction USA June 12 SoFi Stadium Inglewood California 9pm ET not Kansas City June 15 Copa Libertadores R16 first legs August 11-13 second legs 18-20 Flamengo Cruzeiro Palmeiras Cerro Porteño Mirassol LDU Quito Corinthians Rosario Central Fluminense Rivadavia Copa Sudamericana playoffs July 21-23 Vasco Medellín Santos Bragantino Atlético Mineiro Brasileirão resumes July 22 Round 19 dual calendar pressure NBA Finals Game 2 tonight 8:30pm ET Frost Bank Center San Antonio ABC Knicks 1-0 series Wembanyama Fox trained Thursday expected play Brunson fit Mitch Johnson adjustment 0-2 home Spurs history Game 3 Monday June 8 MSG New York