How the Juventus stars fared during the September international break
The first international break of the 2021/22 season is in the books with Serie A set to return to our TV screens this weekend.
Juventus had 16 stars in action for their respective countries over the recent break, but how did they get on?
Let’s take a look.
Italy – Federico Chiesa, Manuel Locatelli, Federico Bernardeschi, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci & Moise Kean
It was a prosperous period for Juventus’ Azzurri contingent. Before his early departure from the Italy camp, summer hero Federico Chiesa produced a sequence of relentless brilliance to open the scoring in the eventual 1-1 draw with Bulgaria.
Moise Kean, meanwhile, celebrated his return to the national team with a superbly-taken brace against Lithuania, where Federico Bernardeschi also received plenty of plaudits for his performance. Berna notched a pair of assists in the 5-0 rout.
Veteran duo Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci started as a pair in the stalemate with Switzerland, with the latter earning another start in the draw with Bulgaria.
Manuel Locatelli was once again superb against the Swiss, following on from his Euro 2020 masterclass against the Rossocrociati.
Poland – Wojciech Szczesny
Wojciech Szczesny was a hot topic of conversation on social media after Harry Kane expertly beat him from distance in Poland’s 1-1 draw with England. Kane’s swirling effort was always drifting away from Juve’s number one and it would’ve been an incredible bit of goalkeeping had he pulled off the save.
He did, though, keep a clean sheet against mighty San Marino as he was brought off before the minnows scored a rare goal.
Sweden – Dejan Kulusevski
Sweden’s x-factor once again came up trumps as they overcame Spain 2-1 in their first qualifier of the month. Dejan Kulusevski was immense in the win as he capped off his fine outing with a wonderful match-winning assist in the closing stages.
After the match, Spain boss Luis Enrique said Kulusevski and fellow exciting team-mate Alexander Isak “caused so many problems” for the Spanish side.
A quieter night ensued in the 2-1 defeat to Greece, however, as Sweden came crashing rapidly back down to Earth.
Spain – Alvaro Morata
The misunderstood Morata endured an unproductive September away with Spain. The Juve striker was subdued in the defeat to Sweden, although he did notch an assist in the 2-0 victory over Kosovo.
He was brought off at around the 70-minute mark in both contests.
Still, no Spanish player has more goal contributions than Morata (ten – eight goals, two assists) since Luis Enrique took charge.
France – Adrien Rabiot
After missing France’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina, Didier Deschamps right-hand man and supposed Blaise Matuidi 2.0 Adrien Rabiot started and finished Les Bleus’ other two September qualifiers.
The former PSG man looked at ease against Ukraine and Finland, with Deschamps utilising him in both a midfield three and double pivot. Rabiot’s certainly earned the trust of his national team boss, and the fine displays which he produced this month will certainly help his cause moving forward in a stacked French midfield.
Colombia – Juan Cuadrado
The ever-reliable Juan Cuadrado was deployed at both right-back and right-midfield for Colombia as his country stuttered on their path to Qatar 2022.
The Juve veteran scored from the spot in the 1-1 draw with Paraguay, where he also led both sides in dribbles completed (six), chances created (five), fouls won (eight) and duels won (17).
Following this all-encompassing showing, it’s fair to say some Colombia supporters were a tad disappointed with his deployment at full-back for the must-win game against Chile.
However, a 3-1 victory later and it’s fair to say that Reinaldo Rueda’s decision was very much vindicated.
Brazil – Danilo & Alex Sandro
Juventus’ full-back tandem started both of Brazil’s non-postponed fixtures in September against Chile and Peru. Both were sound as the Selecao kept clean sheets in their two victories.
Danilo, as the stat line above shows, was particularly impressive in the slender 1-0 triumph over Chile.
Argentina – Paulo Dybala
Unfortunately, Paulo Dybala’s most significant contribution for La Albiceleste in September was laughing at Lionel Messi for wearing a photographers bib as he attempted to protest the farcical events that unfolded in Sao Paulo.
That clip garnered plenty of social media likes.
On the pitch, La Joya earned just ten minutes of action – depicting his reputation in Argentinian quarters.
Uruguay – Rodrigo Bentancur
Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a minor injury scare while away with Uruguay after he was substituted prematurely in his country’s 1-1 draw with Peru.
The midfielder, though, avoided any major injury and he was fit enough to start Uruguay’s other two qualifiers in September. Bentancur was brought off at half-time in the comfortable 4-2 victory over Bolivia before completing a full 90 in the 1-0 triumph against Ecuador, where he picked up a booking amid a typically industrious display.
Overall, it was yet another assured spell in the national team from the Juve midfielder, and he’s swiftly emerging as the key man in Uruguay’s next generation.
USA – Weston McKennie
The man of mischief missed the USA’s final two qualifiers of the month following his suspension after breaking COVID-19 protocols (again).
McKennie did play 90 minutes against El Salvador, however, where he impressed in a disappointing stalemate.