Brazil held to scoreless draw in Ancelotti's debut

Carlo Ancelotti got off to a disappointing start as Brazil coach in Thursday's South American World Cup qualifiers, drawing 0-0 against runners-up Ecuador, putting the Italian manager under considerable pressure.

Brazil were unable to break down Ecuador's organised defence and had few chances in the first half, the clearest coming from a Vinícius Júnior attempt assisted by Gerson that was saved by goalkeeper Gonzalo Valle.

AnceIottti made a lot of lineup changes compared with his predecessor, Dorival Júnior, who was fired after the team's 4-0 defeat at Argentina.

The 65-year-old Italian coach gave Vinicius Brazil's No. 10, brought veteran midfielder Casemiro and striker Richarlison back into the starting lineup, gave a debut to defender Alex and played teenager Estêvão on the left wing as a replacement to suspended Raphinha.

Brazil appeared more defensive from the start against Ecuador, which is unbeaten in its last 14 home games.

Ecuador threatened in the second half when John Yeboah attempted a through ball, but striker Nilson Angulo was caught offside.

Ancelotti's side created more chances, but failed to capitalise, with Richarlison squandering a well-placed pass from Vinicius Jr in the box and Casemiro's powerful long-range shot being saved by Valle.

The result leaves Ecuador closer to qualifying as they remain in second place with 24 points. The top six qualify directly for next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. They face ninth-placed Peru on Tuesday.

"Ecuador are more solid, they had been playing well. Little by little we will grow. We had a strong, solid defensive system tonight," Casemiro said after the match. "It's an immense joy to come back and do well ... be picked by such an amazing coach."

Vinicius said Ancelotti "is yet to show his game plan" for Brazil.

"We will manage. The World Cup is right there and we need to be together to do well at the end of South American qualifying and World Cup preparations," the Real Madrid striker said.

Brazil can qualify for the World Cup with a win over Paraguay next week, as long as their cushion over the seventh-place team is larger than six points.

Information from Reuters and The Associated Press was used in this story.