Manager Carlo Ancelotti has urged Brazilian fans not to get carried away after Brazil’s 3-0 win over Scotland at the World Cup, which also marked the return of Neymar and another outstanding performance from Vinicius Junior.After a 1-1 draw with Morocco in the opening game, Brazil went on to win two more games and finish first in Group C. Ancelotti said the team started playing the way he wanted in the knockout stages. “We are playing as a team now and that is our goal,” Ancelotti told a press conference, according to Reuters. “We are not perfect and we need to improve some things – we can be faster when we have the ball.”“I’m happy because the team has improved since the first game. Now that we’ve entered the knockout stages it’s very important to be consistent.”Brazil will now face the second-placed team in Group F in the round of 32, with the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden all possible opponents.One of the main talking points of this game is the return of Neymar. The striker played his first minute for Brazil after nearly three years of absence from the national team. Ancelotti said the experienced attacker has earned his place as he returns to fitness.“He got the chance to play because he deserved it and he worked hard to recover,” Ancelotti said. “I think in this World Cup, with his ability, he can help the team. He only played a few minutes, but he played well.”“Neymar doesn’t need any motivation to play football, no player needs motivation to put on the Brazilian jersey. He is 34 years old and still as passionate as a young boy.”Ancelotti also praised Vinicius, who scored twice and was involved throughout the game.Ancelotti said: “Vini is in very good shape at the moment and the team has given him a lot of help.” “He can play in various positions, whether inside or on the wing.“It’s so rewarding to see Vinicius like this and I have no doubt he can reach this level. I’m not the one who discovered Vinicius, he’s a top player, one of the best in the world.”Despite Brazil’s strong performance in the group stages, Ancelotti said the team’s work is far from done.“I haven’t set a goal for how far we can go,” he said. “Our goal is not to play well, the goal is to win. A coach is judged by winning or losing, not by how well the team plays.”
