The second international break of the season is upon us. After one of the most gruelling stretches of games in recent memory, the vast majority of Manchester City’s squad will be traveling across the world to compete for their various national teams. Here’s the breakdown for October’s international break.
Algeria: Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez will join the Algeria squad as they have consecutive World Cup qualifying matches against neighbouring country Niger.
Fixture Details:
Oct 8th | Algeria vs Niger | 20:00 BST
Oct 12th | Niger vs Algeria | 17:00 BST
Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne has been called up to the Belgium squad to take on France in the semi-final of the Nations League, but will definitely play another game whether it's the Nations League third place play off or the final. Despite scoring the late equalizer against Liverpool, De Bruyne has had a slow start to the season after recovering from an injury he sustained during Belgium’s Euro run.
Fixture Details:
Oct 7th | Belgium vs France | 19:45 BST
Brazil: Ederson, Gabriel Jesus
Both Ederson and Gabriel Jesus will join Brazil as they have a trio of World Cup qualifying matches. Ederson will be competing with Alisson to start in goal, and Jesus will be looking to keep up his form following his resurgence on the wing this season.
Fixture Details:
Oct 8th | Venezuela vs Brazil | 00:30 BST
Oct 10th | Columbia vs Brazil | 10:00 BST
Oct 15th | Brazil vs Uruguay | 01:30 BST
England: Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, John Stones and Kyle Walker
Phil Foden joins the September crew of CIty’s England call ups after recovering from a unique foot injury sustained before the Euro final. Grealish received his first England start in last month's international break and will likely join England mainstays Raheem Sterling, John Stones and Kyle Walker as they have a pair of World Cup qualifying matches.
Fixture Details:
Oct 9th | Andorra vs England | 19:45 BST
Oct 12th | England vs Hungary | 19:45 BST
Netherlands: Nathan Ake
Nathan Ake will join the Netherlands again this week for two World Cup qualifying matches after a pair of impressive performances last month against Turkey and Montenegro.
Fixture Details:
Oct 8th | Latvia at Netherlands | 19:45 BST
Oct 11th | Netherlands vs Gibraltar | 19:45 BST
Portugal: Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo
Manchester City’s Portuguese trio will face Qatar in a friendly before having a World Cup qualifying match against Luxembourg. After impressive performances against Chelsea, PSG and Liverpool this past week, City fans will be hopeful the three can stay healthy during this International break.
Fixture Details:
Oct 9th | Portugal vs Qatar | 20:15 BST
Oct 12th | Portugal vs Luxembourg | 19:45 BST
Spain: Aymeric Laporte, Rodri, Ferran Torres
Aymeric Laporte, Rodri, Ferran Torres are all set to join Spain as they take on Italy in the semi finals of the Nations League. Laporte and Ferran Torres have been consistent starters for Spain this past year, with Rodri often splitting time with Sergio Busquets.
Fixture Details:
Oct 6th | Italy vs Spain | 19:45 BST
USA: Zack Steffen
After having his previous International break haunted by testing positive for COVID, Zach Steffen will return to the USMNT as they have a trio of difficult World Cup qualifying matches against Jamaica, Panama and Costa Rica.
Fixture Details:
Oct 8th | USA vs Jamaica | 00:30 BST
Oct 11th | Panama vs USA | 01:45 BST
Oct 14th | USA vs Costa Rica | 00:00 BST
Not Traveling
Both Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ilkay Gundogan will not be joining the Ukraine and German squads as they are both recovering from injuries. Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Gundogan is set to return after the international break, while there is not timetable yet for Zinchenko’s return.
Fernandinho is the lone City player who gas not received a call up for October’s international break. Despite only just beginning to show signs of slowing down the 36 year-old has not appeared for Brazil since June 2019.
Written by: @IVIeehan
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