Goalkeeper Alisson is demanding greater defensive solidity when Brazil open their World Cup campaign against Morocco on Saturday night.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have not kept a clean sheet in five games heading into the tournament and the Liverpool stopper knows that record will have to improve if the Selecao want to go deep in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.
“As a goalkeeper, I am the first to leave the match dissatisfied with the fact that we have conceded goals,” said Alisson, for whom this will be a third successive World Cup as Brazil’s number one.
“I think a winning team has to hate conceding a goal. The opponent has to work very hard to score. We are trying to create this mentality here. Of the three goals we conceded [in friendlies] against Panama and Egypt, two were completely avoidable. And we talked about it, we talked about what had to be done differently.
“We also look at the positive side of this. It happened in the friendlies so as not to happen in the World Cup and gives us the opportunity to correct what has to be corrected.”
The five-time winners struggled through qualifying, eventually finishing fifth in the Conmebol section, 10 points behind arch-rivals Argentina.
That record backs up the theory that this is not a vintage Brazil side and, despite possessing players of the quality of Vinicius Jr, Gabriel and Casemiro, are unlikely to blow opposition teams away.
It may come down to the more basic footballing principles of keeping clean sheets and relying on set-pieces to get out of a group that also contains Scotland and Haiti.
Alisson saw at close quarters the effect of being strong at set-pieces last season with Arsenal winning the Premier League and he says there is nothing wrong with that approach.
He added: “Arsenal had several games playing well, dominating, creating several opportunities, but won 1-0 with a set-piece goal, because it was their strength. Many can criticise but it is to Arsenal’s credit. And we are aware of this, that in this World Cup a very important aspect will be stopping set-pieces.
“We have prepared for this, we have trained, for sure, both offensively and defensively. Fortunately, we have one of Arsenal’s main players in set-pieces, which is Gabriel, and also other players who can make a difference.”
It is a difficult start for Brazil against a Morocco side that reached the last four in Qatar and were also crowned African champions in controversial circumstances in January.
The Atlas Lions are seventh in the world rankings, just one place behind Brazil.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was one of their heroes four years ago as Morocco became the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final and he is confident of another good run.
He told FIFA.com: “The quality of the players is still there. The right mindset will also be there because it’s a World Cup, and every player dreams of playing in it.
“Let’s be honest: there are teams that are bigger favourites than us. We, for our part, have been on this path of progress since 2022, so, let’s try to carry that on. After that, there’s no telling how far we might go.”
Team News for Brazil v Morocco
Neymar is unlikely to play any part as he continues his comeback from a calf injury. Wesley was ruled out of the tournament earlier this week, leading to a call-up for Manchester United-bound midfielder Ederson.
Morocco have also had problems in the build-up with Nayef Aguerd and Abed Ezzalzouli out of the World Cup due to injury with Marwane Saadane and Amine Sbai their replacements.
Predicted line-ups for Brazil v Morocco
Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Sandro; Casemiro, Guimaraes; Raphinha, Paqueta, Vinicius Jr; Cunha
Morocco: Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; Amrabat, El Aynaoui, Ounahi; Diaz, Saibari, El Khannouss
