Injury strikes selecão
Written by Joe Kent , 12.03 22h33
Defenders Luisão and Alex have both been ruled out of Brazil’s March friendlies due to injury.
Benfica’s Luisão has long suffered from a problem with his right knee and a knock picked up against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Cup last Thursday raised fears that he will miss Brazil’s friendlies in Switzerland later this month. Those fears were confirmed today as the CBF announced he will not be part of the squad that faces Chile on and Ghana on March 24th and 27th respectively.
PSV- Eindhoven’s Alex suffered a lesion to his right thigh on Sunday and will also miss both games. The former Santos player was due to undergo a full medical exam today but club coach Ronald Koeman warned he will be out for at least six weeks and may not return this reason – an unfortunate blow for the player that only last week revealed he dreams of playing for Chelsea who have an option to buy him at the end of the season.
So far Dunga has remained silent on whether he will replace the two defenders, and if so with who. Prior to Brazil’s last friendly against Portugal in January Ronaldinho, Robinho and once again Alex were all ruled out due to injury. Dunga’s failure to call on reinforcements was heavily criticised as Brazil went on to loose 2-0 in London.
