The international break has given Serie A a different rhythm: national-team players have left their clubs, while those remaining have been offered varying combinations of reduced work, friendlies and time away from the training ground. Across the division, the priority is not simply fitness. Several coaches have used the pause to allow their groups to recover mentally before the October programme begins.
Different routes back to work
- Inter’s Nerazzurri trained yesterday and were scheduled to continue today and Wednesday 23 September before a short rest period, with a return set for Monday 28. Cristian Chivu has also granted the players not involved with their national sides time off until that Appiano Gentile reunion. Djed Spence and the injured Hakan Calhanoglu and John Stones will instead follow individual programmes, with the aim of being available for Parma on Saturday 10 October. Chivu himself will spend a few days abroad with his family.
- Bologna began its work yesterday and will train through Friday 25 September, although the programme after that point has not yet been confirmed.
- Cagliari coach Fabio Pisacane has called back the players who stayed behind from international duty for Thursday afternoon.
- Atalanta’s Spanish coach has allowed his non-internationals the entire week away from the club. The intention is to provide a mental reset, with players able to spend time with their families and break their usual routines before a demanding return.
- Fiorentina rested yesterday and today, then resumes training on Wednesday 23 September. A friendly against Eccellenza side Signa is scheduled for Sunday 27, while another match on Saturday 26 remains a possibility.
- Frosinone, led by Massimiliano Alvini, returned to the field today after resting yesterday. Further dates have yet to be settled.
- Juventus trained at Continassa yesterday and today under Luciano Spalletti. The squad then has a break running from Wednesday 23 September through Sunday, before reporting again on Monday 28.
- Monza’s four-day rest, which started on Saturday 19 September, ends today. The team is due back in training on Wednesday 23.
- Parma, coached by Carlos Cuesta, will work through Thursday 24 September before stopping from Friday until Sunday.
- Roma started training yesterday and will continue through Friday 25, followed by a weekend off. Gian Piero Gasperini may also give the group Monday and Tuesday of the following week free. Two friendlies during the three-week pause are under consideration, but neither opponents nor dates have been decided.
- Sassuolo return today at the Mapei centre after a three-day break that began on Saturday 19 September and ended yesterday.
- Torino, under Ignazio Abate, have a similar schedule, returning today after three days away from training.
- Lecce will resume on Thursday. Eusebio Di Francesco is considering organising a friendly, while the rest of the calendar remains open.
- Milan will remain off until Monday 28 September, with Ruben Amorim’s first training session scheduled for Tuesday 29.
Genoa’s Bucharest trip
Genoa have put together one of the clearest plans of the break. The Rossoblu stopped yesterday and will remain off today and tomorrow, before beginning daily sessions at the Pio centre on Thursday 24 September. There may be one free day on Sunday 27, but training is otherwise scheduled until 30 September.
- On 1 October, Genoa are expected to leave for Bucharest.
- The travelling party will visit the Rapid Bucharest training centre built by Genoa president Dan Sucu.
- Genoa will play Rapid Bucharest in a friendly at 18:00 on 2 October.
- The return to Italy is planned for the night of 2 October or the morning of 3 October.
- Daily work at the Pio will restart on 4 October, beginning preparation for Fiorentina’s visit on Saturday 10 October.
Friendlies and individual recoveries
Lazio have the most detailed three-week schedule among the clubs remaining in Italy. Gennaro Gattuso’s side stopped on Sunday and will be off for five days, including Thursday 24 September. Training restarts on Friday, followed by a friendly against Arezzo at Formello on Sunday 27.
- During the following week, Lazio will have Monday free before training for the rest of the week.
- A further Saturday friendly at Formello is planned, though the opponent has not been named.
- The subsequent week begins with Sunday and Monday off.
- From Tuesday, Lazio will prepare for their match against Monza on Sunday 11 October.
Napoli’s plans remain only partly defined. The Azzurri will train from Wednesday morning through Friday, then have time off until Tuesday 29 September before returning on Wednesday 30. Massimiliano Allegri wants two friendlies during the break to improve the condition of players who have had little or no football, including Neres, Beukema and Badiashile. The dates and opponents are still to be announced.
Scott McTominay is expected to resume pitch work from Wednesday after his cardiac ablation procedure. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who has suffered another injury, will need further assessment.
Udinese’s Polish appointment
Udinese returned to training today and will work each day through Friday. Kosta Runjaic has not indicated whether any double sessions will be held. The Friulani will then use the break for an overseas match.
- On Friday afternoon, 25 September, Udinese will fly by charter to Szczecin.
- They will face Pogon Szczecin in a friendly on Saturday 26.
- The team will return to Friuli immediately after the match and rest on Sunday.
- The following week’s work remains undecided, ahead of the league meeting with Torino on 12 October.
Venezia wait on the bench
Venezia have not yet set a date for their return to training as the club awaits clarity over its technical leadership. One fixture is already certain: Rapid Vienna will visit the Penzo for a friendly on Saturday 17 October. Until the coaching situation is resolved, the wider programme for the coming weeks remains undecided.
