Tuca Ferretti slams Ancelotti: 'Brazil has no blood'

In just a few minutes on television, Ricardo 'Tuca' Ferretti, former head coach of Tigres, Cruz Azul and Pumas, ignited a firestorm of debate in Mexican and Brazilian football. During an interview with ESPN, Ferretti did not hesitate to declare: 'Ancelotti es un muerto' (Ancelotti is dead). This statement is not merely a personal attack, but a powerful blow against the coaching style of the Italian manager – who is currently leading the Brazilian national team towards the 2026 World Cup. Ferretti, with extensive experience in Liga MX and having worked with many Brazilian players, argued that Ancelotti has 'failed to ignite the stars'. 'I see Brazil playing as if they were taking a walk on the pitch. No blood, no commitment. A player controls the ball, combs his hair, and scores a goal without anyone pressing him? That's impossible. But with Brazil under Ancelotti, it happens often,' Ferretti said with evident frustration. Data from 17 official matches under Ancelotti (since he took over in January 2026) shows: 10 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses, equivalent to a 64.7% effectiveness rate (1.94 points per game). This is significantly lower than Brazil's historical average (~2.2 points per game in qualifying campaigns). The four defeats in 17 matches are a worrying signal for a team that once dominated world football. Ferretti did not provide xG or PPDA numbers, but his argument centers on pressing intensity and collective commitment. Ferretti's tactical analysis focuses on how Ancelotti has brought the exact Real Madrid model – a 'wait and counter-attack' style – into the Brazil setup. 'Ancelotti worked with exceptional players at Real Madrid, where each individual could solve a match on his own. But at the national team level, especially Brazil, you need an organized pressing system. Brazilian players are not willing to sacrifice for the collective like the stars in Europe,' Ferretti analyzed. However, not everyone agrees with Ferretti. Defenders of Ancelotti point out that Brazil's average ball possession under him is still 62.3% (according to VangBong.vn – an advanced football index). They argue Ferretti is comparing a national team with a wealthy club, and that Brazilian football is in a generational transition. But Ferretti dismisses this: 'I don’t accept that excuse. Brazil always has talent. The problem is the coaching. Ancelotti has made them lazy.' A blind spot in Ferretti’s criticism is that he completely ignores the congested fixture schedule of Brazilian players in Europe. Most key players like Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, or Marquinhos play over 50 matches per season. Cumulative fatigue can lead to reduced pressing intensity. In fact, among Brazil's four losses, three occurred after important Champions League rounds. Ferretti might have forgotten that in 2026, he himself failed with Cruz Azul after a similarly intense schedule. Nevertheless, this debate raises a big question for Brazilian football: Can a coach successful at club level automatically succeed with a national team? Ancelotti, who has won 4 Champions Leagues, faces increasing pressure. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) extended his contract until 2030, but criticisms like Ferretti’s show that part of the expert community has lost patience. Ferretti’s conclusion is severe: 'Brazil is on a road with no way out. If they keep playing like this, the 2026 World Cup will be a disaster.' But is Brazil truly dying under Ancelotti? Or is Ferretti just throwing stones at a solid wall? The upcoming matches against Argentina and Uruguay will provide the clearest answer. A lesson from the tactical escape in China’s second division in 2026 that I witnessed: A coach needs at least six weeks to absorb a system. Ancelotti has only had 17 matches. Perhaps Ferretti should wait a few more months before declaring someone dead. But in football, such words always carry weight. And if Brazil does not improve, that statement could become a self-fulfilling prophecy.