Kolkata: The response to the new, reshaped and longer international window has been mixed. Maybe even a South America-Europe divide. For Uruguay coach Diego Forlan and Brazil’s Carlo Ancelotti, the opportunity to spend more time with the national team has been a blessing as they try and shake off a disappointing World Cup campaign.
Competing in the Nations League, Xavi and Luis de Fuente have said they were against it.
In a bid to manage workload and also see fresh players, Germany’s new coach Juergen Klopp named a 44-member squad ahead of matches against Netherlands, Greece home and away, and Serbia. With matches against teams from Africa and Europe ruled out — the former is playing the 2027 Cup of Nations qualifiers — they have travelled to Asia. He handed debuts to goalkeeper Pedro Morisco and defender Arthur Dias in the 4-0 win against India. Forlan made his debut against Japan as national team head coach and spoke on Monday about the chance to enjoy 20 days together.
Contrast that with how Brazil and Uruguay have approached this window. “This is not a test but an opportunity. Four more played for Brazil for the first time in the two friendlies in Australia. A pet peeve of national team coaches is lack of time with players. “The time that you will have will be different from being a manager at a club. It’s been that way for so many years and it will be the same. So, I was not complaining. Not that he is now.
Forlan said he knew what he was signing up for. I am still finding my final squad,” said Ancelotti here on Friday.
