RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 19 - Central defender Lucio
has been ruled out of Brazil's friendly against Algeria on
Wednesday because of a bruised left knee, the Brazilian Football
Confederation (CBF) said on Sunday.
The Bayern Munich player, a World Cup winner in 2002, will
be replaced by uncapped 22-year-old defender Miranda, who plays
for Brazilian champions Sao Paulo, the CBF said in a statement
on its Web site.
Brazil face the North Africans in Montpellier, France, in
their first match since they won the Copa America in Venezuela
last month.
The game marks the return of Ronaldinho and Kaka, who both
asked to be rested from the Copa America in a move widely
criticised in Brazil.
Brazil and Algeria last met in the 1986 World Cup when a
goal by Careca gave Brazil a 1-0 win.