29 May 2018
Monday saw a number of Bianconeri players involved with their national teams for the first time since the end of the Serie A season, as the clock ticks down towards the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Blaise Matuidi captained France in a 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in Paris, with goals scored by Olivier Giroud and Nabil Fekir.
Matuidi’s midfield companion at Juventus, Miralem Pjanic, also played a full 90 minutes yesterday, as Bosnia and Herzegovina played out a 0-0 draw against Montenegro.
Italy were also in action last night, as goals by Mario Balotelli and Andrea Belotti sealed a 2-1 success over Saudia Arabia in St. Gallen to give Roberto Mancini a winning start to his reign as Azzurri manager.
Mattia De Sciglio played the final minutes of the match, while Daniele Rugani was rested, but he may feature on Friday night against Matuidi’s France in Nice. Pjanic’s next international involvement, meanwhile, will also be on Friday away to South Korea.
Tonight, however, all eyes will be on Argentina, as Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain are braced for friendly action against Haiti in the ‘Bombonera’ of Buenos Aires (kick-off at 01.00 CEST).
