Ancelotti trials seven changes including Raphinha as centre-forward in Brazil training ahead of India friendly
Carlo Ancelotti trialled seven changes in Brazil’s training sessions on 28 September 2026, notably deploying Raphinha as a centre striker in a 4-3-3 and testing Hugo Souza and Morisco in goal ahead of the upcoming friendlies with Australia and India.
Ancelotti had previously said the lineup would change in the forthcoming matches but did not specify which players would be involved. The coach has opted to give new players opportunities, concentrating on midfield and defence, areas described in the report as the most deficient during the last cycle. The moves come after Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Australia in Townsville and amid pressure to recover in Brisbane as the team prepares for further international fixtures.
During the sessions Ancelotti experimented with a number of positional options, making seven alterations overall and using a 4-3-3 shape that featured Raphinha through the middle. Goalkeeping options were also examined, with Hugo Souza and Morisco brought into the evaluation process. Brazilian reports say Raphinha was being trained as a No. 9 and could displace Endrick in the striker role.
Raphinha’s recent role for Barcelona was cited as a reason for the experiment; the report notes he has been playing as a 9 for Barcelona this season and has scored 14 goals across all competitions. Despite those club performances, Raphinha started Brazil’s first friendly of the international break in the number 10 position and completed the full 90 minutes against Australia. The same sources add that Ancelotti is unlikely to rest Raphinha for upcoming matches, though the manager may alter his starting XI.
The testing period covered options across the squad rather than a single fixed lineup, with the coach assessing alternatives in attack, midfield, defence and goal. Media coverage in Brazil emphasised the trial of Raphinha centrally given his club form, while the goalkeeper assessments aimed to identify depth options for the immediate fixtures.
Ancelotti’s adjustments arrive as Brazil prepare for a second match against Australia on Tuesday and for a friendly with India as part of the same international window. The selections made in these training sessions will inform the starting choices for those forthcoming games.
