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Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has urged his players to be mentally and emotionally prepared for every possible scenario when they face Japan in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on Monday.
Both teams progressed through the group stage unbeaten, and Ancelotti expects a closely contested knockout encounter, reports Xinhua.
"For tomorrow's match we need many things: our minds and our hearts," Ancelotti told a news conference on Sunday. He said Brazil had prepared for every possibility, including extra time and penalty shootouts, adding that the squad was motivated, confident and ready after strong performances in its last two matches.
Brazil has not been eliminated in the first knockout round of a World Cup since a 1-0 defeat to Argentina, inspired by Diego Maradona, in 1990. Since then, the Selecao have reached at least the quarterfinals in every edition of the tournament.
Ancelotti reminded his players that there would be no second chances in the knockout phase.
"It's just one match. There's no way back," he said, expressing confidence in his experienced squad.
Raphinha was the only player absent from Sunday's training session as he continues to recover from a right hamstring injury.
Ancelotti also said Neymar has made significant progress in his recovery from a calf strain after returning as a late substitute in Brazil's final group-stage victory over Scotland, his first international appearance since October 2023.
"He has improved a lot over the past week and can now play more than 15 minutes," Ancelotti said, adding that the forward's playing time would depend on how the match unfolds.
Brazil and Japan last met in a friendly in October, when Japan came from two goals behind to secure a 3-2 victory in Tokyo.
