A total of six Bianconeri were involved in national team duty on Thursday, amid European and World Cup qualifiers, as well as a friendly match-up.
Starting off in Europe, Poland earned a much-needed three points in their 2-0 victory over Faroe Islands in their Group E EURO 2024 qualifier, the result pushing them up to second in the group, but just a point above Czech Republic and Moldova, who both have a game in hand. Both Arek Milik and Wojciech Szczesny took to the field from the start, with Arek substituted in the 59th minute and Tek playing the entire match, keeping a clean sheet.
Still on the continent, Samuel Iling-Junior was an unused substitute as his England Under-21 side romped to a 9-1 European Championship qualifying victory over Serbia, the three points leaving England joint-top of their qualifying group alongside Ukraine after two games played.
Fabio Miretti opened the scoring in Italy Under-21’s friendly encounter against Italy’s Under-18 side, the older age group running out 5-0 winners in their preparatory test ahead of next week’s Under-21 European Championship qualifier against Norway.
Moving across to South America, Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela, the visitors equalising with just five minutes left on the clock to snatch a point against the Selecao, who drop to second in the World Cup qualifying standings. Danilo was named in the starting line-up, but was taken off due to injury after 41 minutes, while Gleison Bremer was an unused substitute.
FRIDAY ACTION
Friday’s action sees just one Juventus player involved in European qualifying action, as Adrien Rabiot’s France, with five wins from their five Group B qualifying encounters, visit second-placed Netherlands, with kick-off set for 20:45 CEST.