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Luiz Adriano to partner with Neymar

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IANS Rio de Janeiro

Brazil coach Dunga is set to hand Luiz Adriano a starting berth in Brazil's friendly against Turkey Wednesday.

The uncapped 27-year-old trained with the first team Tuesday and has been told he will play alongside Neymar in the Istanbul clash, reported Xinhua.

"It's logical that something will change because of the characteristics of the front man, given Luis Adriano's style is different," Dunga was quoted saying by Folha de Sao Paulo.

"But it will be good to try to play with more of a target man, even if Luiz Adriano also knows how to work the flanks well."

Adriano is the Champions League's top scorer so far this season with nine goals, including five in his team's 7-0 victory against Belorusian outfit BATE.

 

His opportunity came after in-form Atletico Mineiro striker Diego Tardelli was left out of the squad as part of an agreement by the country's football federation not to handicap local clubs in the final weeks of Brazil's domestic season.

Other likely changes to the team that beat Japan 4-0 in Singapore last month are Fernandinho's inclusion for Elias and David Luiz for Miranda.

Former Selecao captain Thiago Silva, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, is expected to start on the bench.

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First Published: Nov 12 2014 | 8:34 AM IST

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