LONDON:

Carlo Ancelotti may still be wrestling with Portuguese but the Italian is increasingly comfortable in his role as Brazil coach as he prepares to field an experimental defensive lineup in a friendly with Senegal at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Nearly six months into his tenure, the ex-Real Madrid boss is adapting to a radically different routine from his club days, swapping daily training sessions for more periodic work as he builds towards the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

The 3-2 defeat by Japan last month served as a wake-up call for Ancelotti, whose side prior to the Japanese fight-back in Tokyo had conceded one goal in his first five matches.

That defensive collapse when leading 2-0 at halftime has prompted tactical soul-searching, with Real Madri

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