ANCELOTTI: BRAZIL HAVE ‘FULL RESPECT’ FOR INDIA AHEAD OF KOLKATA FRIENDLY

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By: Fasasi Hammad

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti says his team has full respect for India ahead of their first-ever international friendly against the hosts.

The five-time world champions will field a star-studded squad, including Vinicius Junior, for Saturday’s encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

India, ranked 138th in the world, will face Brazil’s senior men’s team, ranked fifth, for the first time. The hosts enter the match after a 1-1 draw with 44th-ranked Panama.

“We have respect for the quality of the Indian team. They played a good draw against Panama. We have full respect for our opponents,” the 67-year-old Ancelotti told reporters on Friday.

Although cricket remains deeply rooted in Indian culture, football enjoys significant popularity, particularly in Kolkata and Kochi.

“Cricket is part of their culture; football is not the most important game,” Ancelotti said.

“But that doesn’t mean they don’t love football. We are happy to be here and show our quality to all who have the possibility to watch the game, and it will be a fantastic night.”

Brazil will be without Raphinha, who withdrew from the squad due to a thigh injury. However, the team still boasts several high-profile players, including Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos and Arsenal stars Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes.

Brazil are coming off a win and a draw against Australia in a recent friendly double-header as they look to rebuild following their World Cup round-of-16 exit against Norway in July.

“It’s true that we were not able to compete enough in the World Cup,” Ancelotti said.

“It was a difficult period for us. It is motivation for a new generation of players to be able to compete at the highest level in the coming years.”

He added that the matches against Australia and India would provide valuable preparation and an opportunity for the team to demonstrate its capabilities.

Brazil captain Marquinhos also highlighted the strong support the national team enjoys among Indian football fans.

Indian and South Asian football supporters have traditionally shown strong loyalties to both Brazil and Argentina.

“India, outside Brazil, is one of the countries where there is the biggest support and fanbase for the entire squad,” Marquinhos said.

India coach Khalid Jamil, who shared a light moment with Ancelotti for photographers, acknowledged the pressure surrounding the historic encounter but said his players were ready to take responsibility.

“Pressure will be there, but we have to handle that and take responsibility,” Jamil said. “If you give your best, anything can happen.”