Selecao send Amauri signal

Selecao send Amauri signal
Sunday 6 July, 2008

As Amauri prepares to take Italian citizenship, Brazil Coach Carlos Dunga accuses him of lacking patience and conviction.

The former Palermo striker – now at Juventus – has noted many times he would ideally like to play for the Selecao, but will happily wear the Azzurri jersey if he does not receive a call-up soon.

“Where does Amauri actually want to play?” asked Dunga in the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Usually a Brazilian dreams of one day wearing the shirt of the Selecao and will do anything for that.”

The tactician made it clear that if Amauri is waiting for a sign, he’s not going to get one.

“I certainly won’t call him for the next World Cup qualifiers. There is a hierarchy in place and my strikers are Adriano, Pato, Luis Fabiano and Fred.

“These are people who have scored a lot of goals in their careers and have earned their position in the squad.

“If Amauri proves he is competitive with Juventus, then he will have his chance, perhaps in the November friendlies.

“If someone truly wants the Selecao, he needs the strength to wait.”

It is a conversation Amauri could well be having with new Italy boss Marcello Lippi too, as in his opening Press conference the Coach said only players who truly wanted to wear the Azzurri jersey would be given that chance.

*chn4