Ancelotti says referee lacked experience after Brazil’s 3-2 defeat by Japan

Carlo Ancelotti said the referee’s decisions influenced Brazil’s 3-2 friendly defeat by Japan and claimed the official lacked the experience required to manage a match of that level.

The Italy manager was sent off in stoppage time alongside Raphinha after Japan scored their third goal. Brazil players had protested that Joao Gomes may have been fouled during the attack which led to the decisive goal.

Speaking at his post-match news conference, Ancelotti explained why he received a red card.

“The referee told me that I was unable to control the bench, so he showed me the red card,” he said.

Ancelotti believed Brazil had performed well for much of the match, despite leaving themselves more exposed while testing a more aggressive approach.

“For the result, I think we played well for 70 minutes, which is what we want to achieve,” he said. “As part of the test we wanted to carry out, we became more vulnerable defensively because we wanted to press higher up the pitch.”

The former Italy manager admitted Brazil’s start had been below the required standard and said the team lacked defensive cover and balance.

“I think the analysis of the match shows that we did not start well,” he added. “We did not have the defensive cover we needed and we lacked balance. The team stopped playing because it believed the referee would award fouls.”

Brazil recovered from their poor opening to score twice and draw level, while Endrick had an opportunity to complete the comeback in the closing stages.

“We managed to score two goals and equalise, and we could have won in the final minutes through Endrick,” said Ancelotti. “It is a shame that the match ended with this result.”

The 2-3 defeat also prompted further criticism of the officiating, although Ancelotti stopped short of placing sole responsibility on the referee.

“There are many positive aspects, and some players made their first appearances,” he said. “We showed good quality, but the result was affected by the referee’s actions because he was not awarding fouls.

“However, I do not want to blame him alone. This was a high-level match, and he did not have the experience needed to manage a game of this type.”

Despite the loss, Ancelotti said Brazil had gained from giving opportunities to new players as they continue to develop the squad. Brazil will face Singapore in another match during the current international break.

“The aim is to develop the players who are taking part,” he said. “We have new players who joined us during this period. I said yesterday that I am happy with the young players, and in March we will reduce the size of the group slightly.”

Ancelotti said he was ultimately satisfied with Brazil’s response after their difficult start.

“I am happy with what we did on the pitch,” he said. “The beginning was not good, but we reacted well afterwards, managed to equalise and then tried to win.”