Dunga backs Leandro Damiao to end goal drought

Leandro Damiao

Rio de Janeiro - Brazil World Cup winning captain and former coach Dunga has backed striker Leandro Damiao to emerge from a prolonged form slump for Brazilian top-flight club Internacional.

Dunga, who now manages the Porto Alegre outfit, called for patience after the striker’s scoring drought extended to five matches following a 1-2 home loss to Santos, reports Xinhua.

“He is going to score when the time is right,” Dunga said on Tuesday. “We have to understand his situation and provide him with support. We have to be calm and help him as much as we can.”

Damiao has not scored since Inter’s 3-3 draw with Goias, July 25.

The 24-year-old was Brazil’s leading scorer with six goals at last year’s London Olympics.

He was omitted from the Selecao’s Confederations Cup squad in June after suffering a quadriceps strain a week before the tournament began.