Dunga rings changes in first Brazil squad
Brazil's defender Thiago Silva (right) comforts David Luiz after the semi-final football match between Brazil and Germany at The Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on July 8, 2014. Germany beat Brazil 7-1. PHOTO | ADRIAN DENNIS
What you need to know:
- Neymar, who suffered a fractured vertebrae in the World Cup quarter-final defeat of Colombia but made his comeback for Barcelona this week, is in the squad.
- Only six of those who started the 7-1 mauling against Germany, David Luiz, Fernandinho, Hulk, Oscar, Luiz Gustavo and Maicon, feature.
- Chelsea duo Ramires and Willian and back-up goalkeeper Jefferson are also maintained, but Marcelo, Dani Alves and Paulinho are among those dropped.
New Brazil coach Dunga announced the first squad of his second spell in charge of the Selecao on Tuesday, with only 10 of those who featured at the World Cup making the cut.
After the traumatic semi-final exit from the World Cup at the semi-final stage to Germany last month, Brazil parted company with Luiz Felipe Scolari and brought back Dunga, the coach of the team at the 2010 World Cup.
He named a squad of 22 players for the friendlies against Colombia in Miami on September 5 and Ecuador in New Jersey four days later.
Neymar, who suffered a fractured vertebrae in the World Cup quarter-final defeat of Colombia but made his comeback for Barcelona this week, is in the squad.
Only six of those who started the 7-1 mauling against Germany, David Luiz, Fernandinho, Hulk, Oscar, Luiz Gustavo and Maicon, feature.
Chelsea duo Ramires and Willian and back-up goalkeeper Jefferson are also maintained, but Marcelo, Dani Alves and Paulinho are among those dropped.
Captain Thiago Silva is missing after suffering a hamstring injury while playing for Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.
Brazil squad for friendlies against Colombia and Ecuador
Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Rafael Cabral (Napoli/ITA).
Defenders: David Luiz, Marquinhos (both Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Gil (Corinthians), Miranda (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Maicon (Roma/ITA), Filipe Luis (Chelsea/ENG), Alex Sandro, Danilo (FC Porto/POR).
Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg/GER), Elias (Corinthians), Fernandinho (Manchester City/ENG), Ramires (Chelsea/ENG), Everton Ribeiro (Cruzeiro), Oscar (Chelsea/ENG).
Forwards: Hulk (Zenit/RUS), Ricardo Goulart (Cruzeiro), Willian (Chelsea/ENG), Neymar (Barcelona/ESP), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool/ENG), Diego Tardelli (Atletico Mineiro).
