Kaka set to command Brazil in friendly against Italy

Kaka set to command Brazil in friendly against Italy Rio de Janeiro - Milan superstar Kaka is the main attraction of the Brazil team that is set to play Italy in a high-profile friendly game on February 10 in London.

Brazil national coach Carlos Dunga made public Monday a list that also featured strikers Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato - Kaka's colleagues at Milan - as well as Manchester City's Robinho.

The friendly at the Emirates Stadium will pit Brazil - the winner of a record five editions of the World Cup - against current World Champion Italy - who also won three other editions of the tournament.

Both teams have played on 12 occasions so far, and each won five games. There were two draws, and there was also a draw when it came to goals scored over these games: 19-19.

"Italy is a respectable rival, for its tradition and for the quality of its players. A match against them will always be decisive, no matter whether it is a World Cup or a friendly," Dunga said.

He noted that he will have to make the most of a single day to prepare his team for the game.

"Italian players are very disciplined from a tactical point of view, and they know - as only a few know - how to reduce spaces for their rivals. And when their team gets the ball back they have a very strong and dangerous counterattack," Dunga said.

For these reasons, the coach called a side in which experienced players stand out.

It features keepers Julio Cesar and Doni, and defenders Lucio, Juan, Thiago Silva, Luisao, Maicon, Daniel Alves, Marcelo and Adriano Correia.

There are also midfielders Gilberto Silva, Josue, Anderson, Felipe Melo, Elano, Julio Baptista, Ronaldinho and Kaka, as well as strikers Alexandre Pato, Luis Fabiano, Adriano and Robinho. (dpa)

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