c4
Dunga ignores Amauri
Tuesday 4 November, 2008
Brazil Coach Carlos Dunga has omitted Juventus star Amauri from his Brazil squad for a friendly with Portugal on November 19.
The Brazilian has yet to be capped by the Selecao, leaving him free to play for Italy if, as expected, he receives an Italian passport.
Amauri has made an exceptional start to his Juventus career, scoring five goals in 10 starts in Serie A.
“I live one day at a time,” he admitted. “This situation embarrasses me, I have not received one signal from Brazil. We will see. Meanwhile, my national team is Juventus.”
The decision comes soon after Italy Coach Marcello Lippi told the Italian Press that he would only think about selecting the former Palermo forward when he becomes an Italian citizen.
“I have spoken with Amauri only once. I said to him that the moment in which he will be Italian, and only then, will I take into consideration the possibility of calling him up.”
Dunga has instead chosen Adriano to lead his forward line against Portugal despite the fact the Inter striker has been frozen out of Jose Mourinho's plans.
His teammates Julio Cesar, Douglas Maicon and Amantino Mancini were also called up, as were Milan's Kaka and Roma's Alexander Doni.