From UEFA and the CONCACAF Nations league, and 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in Asia, to injuries and changes in managers in Serie A. Here is a recap of everything important that happened throughout the international break.

The international break involved a lot of great Serie A players, and several teams saw a lot of their players represent their countries: AC Milan had the highest number with 15 players, while Monza and Parma “only” saw four players leave. With great individual performances, key goals and news off the field, here are nine takeaways from the break.

MOISE KEAN IS NOW A CERTAINTY

With Mateo Retegui nursing an injury, Italy’s attacking threat was reliant on Moise Kean and the Fiorentina forward responded to Spalletti’s demands with a colossal performance in Dortmund. His brace against Germany put him up to seven goals for Italy, three this season (in only nine appearances), following his strike against Israel in September. In addition to his goals at Fiorentina, Kean now has 23 for the season between club and country, his best record of his career so far.

Alongside him, Giacomo Raspadori also made his mark, continuing his good form with an assist and a goal in the second-leg of Italy’s clash with Germany, putting him on eight goals in total for Italy, his second of the season after converting against France back in September.

Yann Bisseck also made his first team debut for Italy, playing in the last thirteen minutes of the 3-3 draw in Dortmund.

MIKE THE SHOT STOPPER

Mike Maignan stepped up between the sticks in France’s Nations League quarter-final. In the first-leg in Croatia, he saved Kramarić’s penalty with a great reflex stop. In the return-leg, he saved two more in the penalty shootout: first up against Baturina, then against Stanišić, securing Les Bleus’ spot in the semi-finals.
This was only Maignan’s second penalty save in a France shirt, while for AC Milan, he has saved four from 22 penalties faced, including Kean’s spot-kick earlier this season at the Franchi.

LUKAKU LEADS BELGIUM AND HUNTS DOWN GOAL 400

Romelo Lukaku proved himself as a key player for Belgium. After the goal in the first-leg of the Nations League quarter-final against Ukraine, Napoli’s centre-forward scored a brace in the second-leg in a top-class performance, the first of which was a sensational volley from De Bruyne’s cross. He is the Red Devils best goalscorer in history with 88 goals in 122 appearances, and he has now reached 399 career goals in all competitions, so he will be hunting down 400 in the league. Napoli fans were happy to see Big Rom’s motivational speech, where he urged his teammates to come back to the club determined to lift the trophy and to keep their winning mentality.

REIJNDERS CAN’T STOP SCORING

Tijjani Reijnders was on the score sheet once again, in the Nations League quarter-final against Spain. His 16th goal of the season between club and country was a great long-distance strike: he has nine in Serie A, three in the Champions League, one in the Coppa Italia and three with The Netherlands. The Rossoneri star has found the way to goal with both feet and he has massively improved in front of goal compared to his five total goals last season.

SERIE A EXCELLENCE IN SERBIA VS. AUSTRIA

There were many top performances from Serie A players in Serbia and Austria. In the first-leg, Lazar Samardžić scored his first for his nation with a great finish that broke the deadlock. In the return-leg, both Vlahović (from Jović’s assist), and ex-Torino and Napoli player Maksimović, scored. Lukić and Pavlović also featured across the two matches.
With regards to the Austrians, Gregoritsch also scored thanks to Arnautović’s assist; the Inter forward of Serbian origin is certainly one of Austria’s standout players

MEXICO ARE CHAMPIONS

It was a historical win for Mexico, who won the CONCACAF Nations League for the first time. Raúl Jiménez truly shone with his two braces, one in the semi-final against Canada, and the other in the final against Panama. Some other players that were key in their win were Vásquez (Genoa) who featured in both a three and four-man defence, as well as Giménez (AC Milan), who was used as a right-winger in the semis and as a second striker in the final. It was disappointment for the USA, who were looking to prove themselves before hosting the World Cup: Pulisic, Weah, Mush and Mckennie couldn’t progress into the final against Panama, beaten by a late goal.

TUDOR IS BACK HOME

Now, off the field. Juventus have changed manager with Igor Tudor now taking charge, who is coming back to the Bianconeri after 174 appearances and 21 goals as a player. As a manager, the Croatian has already shown his quality in Serie A when he saved Udinese from relegation, two seasons in a row. In the 2020-21 season, he returned to Juve after Sarri’s departure, and took the role as Pirlo’s assistant manager while he was in charge. The year after, he went to Hellas Verona, replacing Di Francesco, and he did really well with the Gialloblù, getting them close to European football and a club-record season for points scored in Serie A. After a good run with Marseille in Ligue 1, he had another good spell in Italy, this time with Lazio, getting them back on track and securing them Europa League football.

(Photo Getty Images)

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