Inter’s international break has begun with an uneven distribution of minutes, a circumstance Cristian Chivu will regard with some relief as the club watches its players spread across Europe, Africa and South America. Several Nerazzurri were involved from the opening whistle, while others spent the first round of fixtures waiting on the bench or in the stands. That balance may matter when the squad returns to Milan and the domestic season resumes.
Andy Diouf was among those left unused by France in the match against Turkey, despite having been considered for a first start at left-back. Zidane has indicated that he sees the Inter player in that role, mirroring the wide wing-back duties Diouf has increasingly performed for his club. The Frenchman still considers central midfield his natural position, but his recent pathway appears to be taking him down the flank. Adrien Truffert of Bournemouth started on the left instead, although Diouf could be given an opportunity against Belgium and perhaps again when France meet Italy at the Stade de France on 2 October.
Yann Bisseck also had no involvement in Germany’s opening game against the Netherlands. He may be handed a starting place against Greece, a meaningful opportunity for a defender who has made only one senior Germany appearance to date. That came in Dortmund, when he played 13 minutes of the 3-3 Nations League quarter-final second leg against Italy. Josep Martinez, meanwhile, has been selected by Luis de la Fuente as Spain’s third goalkeeper and did not feature.
Italy’s group contains three Inter names: Nicolò Barella, Francesco Pio Esposito and Alessandro Bastoni. Barella and Esposito began the Belgium fixture, while Bastoni was unavailable through suspension. Bastoni is expected to return to the starting side in Bursa against Turkey. Barella will not be in the squad for that match, while Pio Esposito is likely to receive his minutes later in the game rather than from the first whistle.
Elsewhere, Manuel Akanji, Piotr Zielinski and Petar Sucic all started for their respective countries. Akanji wore Switzerland’s captain’s armband against North Macedonia, the third time he has led his national side. Zielinski was selected from the outset against Bosnia, while Sucic started against the Czech Republic. Ange-Yoan Bonny also began for Ivory Coast against Ghana, operating as the central forward.
Lautaro Martinez will join Argentina later, with his first appearance of the break expected during the night between Wednesday and Thursday. Argentina have three friendlies scheduled, against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin. The wider significance of the camp comes on 6 October, when Lionel Messi is due to make his final international appearance at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium. Lautaro is ready to take part in a gathering that will carry particular weight for Argentina, while Inter will be hoping their captain returns with his customary sharpness intact.
