'Never a friendly game': Brazil and Ancelotti looking forward to India match

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brazil/I9l9aqLq/"]Brazil[/a], ranked fifth in the world and boasting stars including [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vinicius-junior/CbwQ4Mws/"]Vinicius Junior[/a], will face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/india/A1UUGpep/"]India[/a] in Kolkata [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/brazil-I9l9aqLq/india-A1UUGpep/?mid=rTGQFX7E"]on October 3rd[/a] - their first senior men's international in the country where football enjoys a passionate following despite cricket's overwhelming popularity.[/p][p]The visit will offer a rare opportunity for local fans to see one of football's most celebrated teams in action.[/p][p]"Brazil has supporters in every corner of the world," Ancelotti was quoted as saying by daily The Times of India.[/p][p]"[b]It's a pleasure for us to play in India, not just for the Brazilian supporters, but also those in India[/b]."[/p][p]Although the match is officially a friendly, the veteran Italian manager said Brazil would approach it with full seriousness.[/p][image alt="Brazil take on India on October 3rd at 4PM CET" id="bb904b84-e861-4ec8-bd05-59bbff252295" credit-line="Flashscore" hidden-attrs="alt, credit" guid="00254fda-fec2-415f-b38c-f7a87d24810b" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]"[b]It's a preparatory game, a friendly, but for us, there is never a friendly game[/b]," Ancelotti, 67, said.[/p][p]India, ranked 138th by FIFA, have never qualified for a World Cup but football remains hugely popular, especially in Kolkata and the southern city of Kochi.[/p][p]Ancelotti said the fixture would also offer Brazil a chance to experience a new football culture.[/p][p]"We have to see other nations, other cultures. We are used to playing friendlies with different styles," said the coach who took charge last year.[/p][p]"[b]India will be exciting. It's true that India does not have a good experience (of playing world-class opponents), but it's important for us to know how they play. I've never been to India. I am very excited to come to Kolkata[/b]."[/p][p]Next week's match will be the first appearance by a full-strength Brazilian men's national team in India.[/p][p]Brazilian legend Pele visited India in 1977 and 2015.[/p][p]The Brazilians will arrive in India after playing two friendlies in Australia.[/p][embed guid="97def671-c00a-41ec-8f59-2329075c9404" url="https://x.com/CBF_Futebol/status/2102385187757900048" social-type="twitter" /][p]One of the most decorated managers in the game's history, Ancelotti has won a record five Champions League titles as a coach.[/p][p]Brazil are seeking to end a lengthy World Cup drought, having last lifted football's biggest prize in 2002.[/p][p]Their most recent World Cup campaign saw them bow out in the round-of-16.[/p]