It’s official—what appreciation and what recognition: “Did Brands tip Ancelotti?”
1 min readBoth gentlemen value each other immensely and recognize each other's qualities. Marcel Brands and Carlo Ancelotti therefore know each other very well and were able to work extremely well together at Everton in Liverpool.
The paths of both senior football bosses diverged after a few years when Ancelotti was able to return to Real Madrid and Brands to PSV. The rest is history. But there may be more going on between the two gentlemen. Today it was announced that Carlo Ancelotti has called up PSV player Mauro Júnior for the Brazil national team, and that is by now more than deserved to be called.
The 27-year-old defender has thus received his first call-up for the Brazil national team. So the recognition is there for the captain of PSV, who this season has obviously again shown his value in every match for PSV, but has not yet been able to find his best form immediately. Without the all-rounder, PSV is at least always somewhat less in its element; the match statistics too increasingly show this.
Mauro played 24 youth internationals for Brazil, but at the big Brazil team he has never yet been given a chance. So has Marcel Brands in recent years been in contact with Ancelotti about the outstanding statistics of the Brazilian all-rounder? It could well be. Since 2017, Maro has played 206 matches for PSV 1, but now he is therefore going to get a chance with the senior national team.
Ancelotti’s team plays only two friendlies against Australia and another match against India. The nicest compliment among the PSV supporters came, incidentally, from PSV fan Pepsisic on X:
'What a splendid achievement after years of working so hard. The best reward you can receive. I am truly extremely happy for him. A golden guest', it sounds on X, and we wholeheartedly agree.
Comments3
Loving the tempo, thats pure PSV 🔥 Wingers looked dangerous when they cut inside, and the link-up play in the box was actually sharp. But defensively we still switch off for a second sometimes, and that can get punished.
I like the idea, but the midfield balance looks risky. When Veerman drops too deep, it feels like the 8 is missing, and the build-up turns into chaos against compact teams. Needs clearer passing lanes, not just more intensity.
If PSV are going for that high press, hope it doesnt leave space behind the fullbacks again. tbh i need Tillman to be more disciplined in the half-spaces, otherwise we win the ball then give it back in 2 touches.