Ronaldinho and Adriano were two stars who were missing from the Brazilian Squad for the World Cup as coach Dunga announced his 23 man Brazil team. Flamengo’s Adriono was overlooked in the favor of surprise inclusion of Wolfsburg’s striker Grafite. Adriano seems to have missed out due to his off-the-distractions as he has found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
His misdoings at dance clubs may have mellowed since he returned from Inter Milan to his home country and could not be compared to the gun-totting antics of Wagner Love, Adriano has clearly not done enough to impress the rather agricultural Dunga. The Brazilian coach explained his decision over Adriano’s exclusion, "Adriano was given several opportunities. There was a moment when we made a decision about the group. "The group always welcomed Adriano, but there is a moment when reason talks louder than the heart."
Former FIFA world player of the year for the years 2004 and 2005 was also overlooked as powerhouse Brazil look to mount a bid for the Selecao’s sixth World Cup win. The inclusion of the 30-year-old seems to be a surprise given the fact that he had been consistently good for his club AC Milan in the current Serie A season. Despite the dodgy form of Kaka, Ronaldinho was denied the chance to add another World Cup medal to his trophy cabinet after he won his first World Cup medal in 2002 when he was made part of a three pronged attack alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo by coach Felipe Luis Scolari. That tournament is also remembered for Ronaldinho’s outrageous free-kick against England which befuddled English goalkeeper David Seaman as Brazil ran out 2-1 winners in the quarter-finals. Former Manchester United player Kleberson has played himself into the squad after excelling for Brazilian club Flamengo. Santos’ highly regarded duo Paulo Henrique and Neymar were also excluded from the squad which still includes a massive amount of quality. Dunga spoke of why he did not include the duo: “I have to test the players when they are in the national team. I follow their form in their clubs, but why didn't you (the media) want them in the squad in December or January?
"These players are enormously talented, but I cannot prepare a national team for 2014 if I have to win today."
Another AC Milan player in the guise of striker Alexandre Pato also failed to make the cut after a less than impressive season in Italy. The young striker would be disappointed with his exclusion given the fact his exploits has made him one of the hottest properties in European football with Chelsea reportedly trying to lure him to Stamford Bridge over the summer. Dunga has picked a functional team with enough creative upstarts to make a difference.
Brazil’s samba football has been replaced by a more direct, physical approach which has paid rich dividends for this particular team. This approach is exemplified by the Inter Milan trio of goalkeeper Julio Cesar, right back Maicon and central defender Lucio who were key in keeping out Barcelona in a great, powerful display of defending.
With the South American giants placed in group G which includes North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal, Brazil will have to be at its best in order to qualify. Called the group of death Brazil and Portugal are still favorites to move to the next round, even though Didier Drogba and Ivorian elephants may have something to say about that in the World Cup.
Dunga has appealed to Brazilian fans to get behind the time even if they find his tactics boring and uninspiring: "I beg the Brazilian fan that they support us. If they don't like me or any other thing, that's fine, but I want him to support us, to be a patriot."
The full squad announced by Dunga is as follows:
Squad: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (Roma), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham); Maicon (Inter Milan), Dani Alves (Barcelona),
Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (Roma), Luisao (Roma), Thiago Silva, Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Michel Bastos (Lyon); Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Josue (Wolfsburg), Elano (Galatasaray), Ramires (Benfica), Kleberson (Flamengo), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma); Robinho (Santos/Manchester City), Nilmar (Villarreal), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Grafite (Wolfsburg).
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