InterNationals, 2,399 minutes and ten Nerazzurri goals

MILAN – With the final UEFA Nations League matches now over, the international break has come to an end. Inter are set to resume their league campaign against Torino at 15:00 CET on Sunday at San Siro (matchday eight).

16 Nerazzurri players were called up to their respective National Teams for the latest round of international fixtures, and 14 of them took to the pitch. The only players who didn’t play were Aleksandar Kolarov and Marcelo Brozovic.

BASTONI, BARELLA, GAGLIARDINI, D'AMBROSIO INVOLVED AS ITALY PICK UP THREE WINS

Italy recorded three wins from three matches, with Alessandro Bastoni (270’) starting and finishing the Azzurri’s friendly against Estonia (a 4-0 victory where the Nerazzurri defender made his debut) and the team’s Nations League wins against Poland and Bosnia, allowing Mancini’s side to qualify for the Final Four of the competition. Nicolò Barella was involved in the two competitive fixtures (180’), while Gagliardini (90’) and Danilo D’Ambrosio (79’) played against Estonia.

ERIKSEN, TWO GOALS FOR DENMARK

Christian Eriksen made three appearances and scored twice for his National Team. The Danish midfielder played 45 minutes of his country’s friendly against Sweden and remained on the pitch throughout as Denmark beat Iceland (thanks to his two penalties) and lost 4-2 to Belgium.

DE VRIJ, 225 MINUTES WITH THE NETHERLANDS

Stefan de Vrij took to the pitch three times for the Netherlands. The Nerazzurri defender played for 45 minutes as the Dutch played out a friendly draw with Spain. He then stayed on throughout the Netherlands’ victories against Bosnia and Poland in the Nations League. However, they failed to make the Final Four.

300 MINUTES FOR THE TIRELESS SKRINIAR

Milan Skriniar was the Nerazzurri player to play the most minutes during the latest round of international fixtures due to the fact that Slovakia’s Euro 2021 playoff final showdown against Northern Ireland went to extra time. Skriniar was involved throughout as his country qualified for the Euros but suffered relegation in the Nations League (a win against Scotland was followed by a defeat to the Czech Republic).

LUKAKU IN UNSTOPPABLE FORM FOR BELGIUM

After being rested for Belgium’s friendly against Switzerland, Romelu Lukaku played the full 180 minutes of his country’s Nations League fixtures as Martínez’s men beat England 2-0 and defeated Denmark 4-2. The Nerazzurri striker bagged a brace against the Danes, taking his tally up to 17 goals in his last 14 matches for his National Team.

CROAZIA: 210 MINUTES FOR PERISIC

While Marcelo Brozovic didn’t feature, Ivan Perisic racked up 210 minutes of football for Croatia. After playing the last half an hour of his country’s 3-3 friendly draw against Turkey, the Nerazzurri wideman was then involved in Croatia’s UEFA Nations League fixtures (League A, Group 3) against Sweden and Portugal. Despite suffering two defeats, the 2018 World Cup runners-up avoided relegation from League A on goal difference.

LAUTARO: A GOAL, A DRAW AND A WIN

Lautaro Martinez started both of Argentina’s recent World Cup qualifying matches and played a total of 172 minutes. While he failed to find the net in his country’s 1-1 draw with Paraguay, El Toro did manage to open the scoring in the Albiceleste’s 2-0 victory over Peru, his eleventh goal for Argentina.

VIDAL, A KEY FIGURE FOR CHILE

Captain and goalscorer. Arturo Vidal produced two huge performances for his National Team, playing throughout both games. Against Peru, he scored a brace in Chile’s 2-0 win, while he also netted in his country’s 2-1 defeat to Venezuela. He has now scored 32 times for La Roja. Alexis Sanchez, meanwhile, played six minutes of the victory over Peru and remained on the pitch throughout in Caracas.

HAKIMI, TWO WINS AND A GOAL

Morocco picked up two wins against the Central African Republic in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. Hakimi made two appearances and got on the scoresheet on one occasion: he played 59 minutes and scored in the 4-1 home victory, while he was involved for 78 minutes in the team’s 2-0 success on the road.

PINAMONTI ON THE SCORESHEET FOR ITALY'S U21S

Andrea Pinamonti made two appearances for Italy’s Under-21 side. The striker came on for the final ten minutes in the Azzurrini’s win against Iceland, while he then scored in their 4-0 victory over Luxembourg after being introduced at half-time. The Under-21s succeeded in qualifying for the Euros.