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Dunga leaves Ronaldinho on sidelines again

  • Story Highlights
  • AC Milan star Ronaldinho again excluded from Brazilian international squad
  • Brazil coach Dunga says he may consider Ronaldinho next year
  • Alessandro del Piero rested from Italian squad by coach Marcello Lippi
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(CNN) -- AC Milan star Ronaldinho has again been left out of Brazil's squad for a friendly match against Portugal.

Ronaldinho will be hoping for a recall to national colors in 2009.

Under pressure coach Dunga said former world player of the year Ronaldinho still needs to improve his form but added that he would consider a call up for the skilful playmaker next year.

Striker Adriano was selected for the November 19 match in Brasilia, despite being dropped by Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan after showing up late for practice.

AC Milan's Kaka was called up and Robinho was also included, but his Manchester City teammate Jo did not win favor.

Brazil have put up a series of below-par performances in World Cup qualifying, leading to a campaign to remove Dunga.

Meanwhile, Italy favorite Alessandro Del Piero has also been sidelined for upcoming friendlies against Greece and Brazil.

Coach Marcello Lippi said he wanted to look at new players for the matches later this month.

"Del Piero will stay home for a while. He's a player I know everything about and I want to renew this team. I want to see new players," Lippi told Sky Italia.

"When the time comes, players like Del Piero, if they're still in good form, will be taken into consideration again."

With 27 international goals, Del Piero is Italy's leading current goalscorer, eight behind Luigi Riva's record of 35 goals.

Lippi also left Del Piero out for 11 months during qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, but he was on the team that won the title in Berlin.

Lippi is likely to take a good look at Villarreal's Giuseppe Rossi in friendlies with Greece Novemer 19 and Brazil on February 10.

Luca Toni, Alberto Gilardino and Antonio Di Natale are key members of Lippi's attack.

After four games, Italy lead their World Cup qualifying group with 10 points, three ahead of Ireland and well on course for the 2010 finals in South Africa.

Copyright 2008 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.

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