Football
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Thiago Silva, Lucas Moura back in Brazil squad for November friendlies

SAO PAULO -- Paris Saint-Germain players Thiago Silva and Lucas are back in Brazil's squad for friendlies against Turkey and Austria next month.

It's their first call-ups by Dunga since he became coach after the World Cup. Thiago Silva was captain of the World Cup squad but has been injured, while Lucas hasn't played for Brazil for a year.

Brazil will play Turkey on Nov. 12 in Istanbul, and Austria in Vienna on Nov. 18.

The 23-player list announced on Thursday in Rio de Janeiro included Barcelona's Neymar and Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho, as expected, as well as surprises such as Porto midfielder Casemiro and Hoffenheim striker Firmino.

Shakhtar Donetsk striker Luiz Adriano, who scored five goals in a Champions League match on Tuesday, also was in.

The coach didn't pick players from Brazilian clubs as the local season is reaching its decisive rounds, leaving out players such as Kaka and Robinho, who were summoned for friendlies this month. Striker Diego Tardelli, who scored both goals in the win against Argentina in Beijing, also had to be left out.

Next month's friendlies will coincide with the final rounds of the Brazilian league and the Brazilian Cup finals. The Brazilian football calendar is one of the few which doesn't stop on FIFA dates.

"We have to look at the interests of the national team but also of Brazilian football," Dunga said. "It's hard for the coach of the national team, we don't have a lot of time to make observations, but we have to understand that we have to make some sacrifices, as the clubs did during the other friendlies. At the same time, it's good because it gives us a chance to look at new players."

Lucas helped Brazil win the 2013 Confederations Cup, but lost space in Luiz Felipe Scolari's team in the run-up to the World Cup. He was among the seven alternate players for the World Cup squad but never got a chance to play.

"He will have his chance now," Dunga said. "The players we are calling up are having the chance to show what they can do on the field. It will depend on their performances. We will keep making observations."

Firmino, playing in German football since 2010, is a newcomer to the national team.

"He has great quality, is fast, and knows how to score easily," Dunga said. "This is what we are looking for."

Also in, as expected, are Chelsea's Filipe Luis, Oscar and Willian, Paris Saint-Germain's David Luiz, and Atletico Madrid's Miranda.

Brazil have played four matches under Dunga, beating Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina and Japan. The team's first official tournament is next year's Copa America in Chile.

"We are not ready yet, but we are on the right track," said Dunga, a defensive midfielder who captained Brazil in the 1994 World Cup. He coached Brazil in the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Brazil players are being told not to wear hats, earrings or flip-flops while serving under the command of Dunga.

They also can't use mobile phones or tablets at certain times, and are discouraged from engaging in religious or political discussions.

The internal code of conduct was published on Thursday by the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper, Brazil's largest daily. The Brazilian football confederation confirmed its existence during the news conference also on Thursday.

The confederation's guide for good behaviour already existed but was revised after Dunga took over following Brazil's disappointing performance at the home World Cup this year.

"There are rules in any company, and even in our family there are conducts that are needed to maintain good harmony," Dunga said. "We are not prohibiting anything, there were rules already, we are suggesting some things we thought were important. The players are responsible for their own acts and depending on what happens we will decide how we respond."

The 16-topic guide published by Folha said players may be punished if they don't follow the guidelines. They could receive a warning, a fine or be release from the squad, according to the daily.

Dunga was known for his toughness as a player and continued to cultivate the image of a disciplinarian after becoming a coach following the 2006 World Cup.

Last month, veteran right back Maicon was dropped from friendlies in the United States for failing to report to the team's hotel by the time established by the coach and the federation.

"I think fans demanded more organization in the national team," he said. "From what we've seen so far, the players liked what was presented to them, now they know what the limits are."

There were no formal restrictions under coach Luiz Felipe Scolari at the World Cup, when the hosts were eliminated with a 7-1 loss to Germany in the semifinals. Players were regularly seen wearing hats, flip-flops and using mobile phones at training camp.

The new guide says players should not use or wear the prohibited items during gatherings such as lunch and dinner, or in changing rooms and team meetings. They are being told to wear socks and tennis shoes.

It also says that nobody should leave the table before everyone is finished during meals, and that the captain should be the first one to leave. It notes that players should always report to the national team wearing social attire.

They can't express their political or religious opinion while with the national team, and should always sing the national anthem before matches.

According to Folha, the guide also says the players are responsible for paying for extra costs during trips, including charges for phone calls and excess baggage.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Rafael Cabral (Napoli), Neto (Fiorentina), Diego Alves (Valencia).

Defenders: David Luiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Miranda (Atletico Madrid), Mario Fernandes (CSKA Moscow), Alex Sandro (Porto), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Danilo (Porto).

Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Romulo (Spartak Moscow), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Casemiro (Porto), Oscar (Chelsea), Roberto Firmino (Hoffenheim), Willian (Chelsea), Coutino (Liverpool).

Forwards: Neymar (Barcelona), Lucas Moura (Paris Saint-Germain), Luiz Adriano (Shakhtar Donetsk), Douglas Costa (Shakhtar Donetsk).

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