Juventus return from an unusually demanding international break with a mixed ledger: 12 players spent between 16 and 17 days away from Continassa, playing 26 matches and 1,799 minutes for their national teams. Their journeys covered 139,450 kilometres in total — the equivalent of circling the globe three and a half times — and brought goals, encouragement, setbacks and a few physical concerns before the focus returns fully to the Serie A season.
Edon Zhegrova appears to have gained the most from the interruption. The Kosovo winger continued the positive momentum he had found in Turin, scoring a penalty and creating another goal across two matches against Austria. Kosovo finished second in their League B group, level on points with Ireland, while Zhegrova accumulated 212 minutes over 10 days. It was his heaviest international workload since his time at Lille and a useful confirmation of his growing importance.
Douglas Luiz also leaves the break with renewed confidence, even if his contribution for Brazil was limited. Back in the Seleção set-up for the first time in two years, the midfielder featured in two friendlies, against Australia and India, but was not named in the starting line-up by Carlo Ancelotti. He played 28 minutes in one appearance and 45 in the other, without making a major impact on the pitch.
For the Brazilian, however, returning to the international picture mattered more than his minutes. “I am very happy to represent my country,” he wrote after the matches. “We have completed a very productive period. The work goes on. Keep moving forward.” After a summer in which his Juventus future had been questioned, the call-up offered another sign that his standing has improved.
Koopmeiners offers a different option
Teun Koopmeiners had fewer minutes with the Netherlands, starting only one of four Nations League fixtures, against Serbia, but he used that opportunity well. He scored from a free kick and was deployed in two distinct roles: first as part of a four-man defence alongside Virgil van Dijk, then further forward during the final half-hour.
“It was good to be able to do both jobs in the same game,” Koopmeiners said. Netherlands coach Xavi highlighted the value of his versatility, saying the player could operate at centre-back because of his ability to build play, find the free man and distribute accurately. “We want to attack better and Koop has the qualities to help us do that,” he added.
Juventus had previously moved away quickly from using the former Atalanta midfielder in defence, partly because his performances had lacked consistency. Yet his international outing may offer the Turin staff a reason to reconsider whether that solution can become relevant again over the course of the campaign.
Confidence for some, difficult returns for others
Francisco Conceição and Alajbegovic can also take positives from their international work, despite minor fitness issues involving a thigh knock and cramp. Conceição received praise from Portugal coach Jorge Jesus, while Alajbegovic underlined his promise by scoring against Sweden, adding another strong moment to the progress he has shown over the past year.
The mood will be markedly different for Zeki Celik. Turkey endured four Nations League defeats, conceding 11 goals, and the pressure on coach Vincenzo Montella has intensified to the point that his position is under serious threat. Celik returns to Juventus after a difficult spell with little to celebrate.
Nick Woltemade faces a similarly frustrating reset. The forward played only 104 minutes across two Germany matches and drew heavy criticism after a glaring close-range miss against Serbia. With the international disappointment behind him, he will need to rebuild quickly at club level.
Across the Juventus group, the break produced three goals and one assist, but its more significant effect may be psychological. Zhegrova, Douglas Luiz, Koopmeiners, Conceição and Alajbegovic return with reasons for optimism; Celik and Woltemade with something to answer. From now on, the national-team stories give way again to Juventus and the demands of the league.
