Milan, Napoli, Inter and Juve: how are the veterans from the national teams

Even the stop for the national teams, which has not yet been completed for everyone, can be a factor in the championship sprint, especially in view of the next day that will offer two direct clashes at high altitude: Atalanta-Napoli and Juventus-Inter. Each of the top four in Serie A has conceded at least ten players to their respective selections, committed to playing for a place at the next World Cup or for simple friendlies. Let’s take stock of “those who come back”: how they moved in the national team, in what conditions they return to the clubs.

Milan

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In the disaster in Italy, Florenzi was the starter in the sensational defeat against Macedonia and suffered a slight overload in the knee, it will be evaluated for Bologna; Tonali, on the other hand, only entered the final: the midfielder was then used for all 90 minutes against Turkey: for him a 6.5 from the Gazzetta. The Theo Hernandez-Giroud axis also works with the France shirt: assist from the winger and the attacker’s goal in the friendly against Ivory Coast.

The former was on the pitch only for this match, while the latter also played against South Africa, scoring again, for a total of 155 minutes on the pitch. This last challenge also saw Maignan’s debut from the first minute with the French national team. The real tour de force had to be supported by Bennacer, who did not reach the World Cup qualification with Algeria after extra time against Cameroon, and returns with over 200 minutes in the legs. Kessie also took part in the two races in the Ivory Coast as a starter. Remnants of the match for Ibrahimovic against Poland and for Leao, always with the Turks (but with assists for the 3-1 final), an hour of play instead for Krunic and Kalulu, respectively with Bosnia and France Under 21; the former Empoli was out with Luxembourg due to a flu syndrome. The 82 ‘of Saelemaekers complete the picture, divided into two races. Not used Ballo-Touré from Senegal.

Naples

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The break generally does not bring great news for Napoli and the negative trend seemed to be confirmed when Zielinski came out bruised in the final of Poland-Sweden after a game clash. Fortunately, his conditions do not worry, even if Spalletti against Atalanta could keep him out and move to three-man midfield. So much disappointment for Osimhen and Ospina, starters in both games that have sanctioned the exclusion from the World Cup of Nigeria and Colombia. Insigne only played 64 minutes against Macedonia, returning together with Politano – who did not take the field because he was not at his best physically – after the defeat in Palermo.

At the Barbera there was no Elmas because he was disqualified, but the midfielder played almost the entire game with Portugal. Mission accomplished for Koulibaly, who will go to Qatar with his Senegal, after the marathon on penalties against Egypt; two full matches also for Lobotka with the Slovakian shirt. Rrahmani, who like Osimhen will not be in the match against Atalanta due to disqualification, only took the field in one of the two matches played by Kosovo, against Switzerland. Instead, we will have to wait for Lozano to return: in the night between today and tomorrow he will be engaged against El Salvador, he will return to Naples directly on Friday.

Inter

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The Nerazzurri are undoubtedly the team most squeezed by the break, since ten players have played at least one game as a starter, without however reporting any noteworthy physical problems. Dumfries (assists against Germany), Skriniar, Calhanoglu, Vidal and Sanchez were employed from the first minute for both their respective national team fixtures, with the latter three failing to qualify for the World Cup.

Over 100 minutes on the pitch also for Bastoni, Perisic and Dzeko: the latter also found the goal that decided the match against Luxembourg. Barella only played against Macedonia, just as Correa was only deployed against Venezuela and both were replaced in the second half. No minute for Vecino with Uruguay, who could not reach Chile even after the negativity at Covid.

Juventus

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The opposite is true for Massimiliano Allegri’s team, which has been able to count on the reduced use of its players. Only De Ligt and Morata played two games, with the Dutchman making all of them, while the striker was substituted in both matches in the second half, also scoring a brace against Iceland. De Sciglio and Chiellini did not shine against Turkey, with the central who was sent on the field even in the final minutes of the match against Macedonia; the outside, on the other hand, has had knee discomfort for weeks, it is not at its best but it will still be available. Less than a quarter of an hour for Locatelli, recovered from Covid, and a few moments also for Bonucci.

Szczesny, starter in the play-off with Sweden, won the World Cup; Cuadrado didn’t make it: 75 ‘for him in Colombia-Bolivia. Tite chose Danilo on the right in Brazil for the match against Chile, while keeping him at rest against Bolivia; for Arthur instead only 13 minutes in the final of the second race. Good performance by Rabiot in France’s goal against South Africa, after taking over with the Ivory Coast.