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Barcelona stars’ agenda over the international break

ByNishant Narayanan|
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - AUGUST 31: Luis Suarez of Uruguay and Lionel Messi of Argentina talk after a match between Uruguay and Argentina as part of FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers at Centenario Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Sandro Pereyra/Getty Images)
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - AUGUST 31: Luis Suarez of Uruguay and Lionel Messi of Argentina talk after a match between Uruguay and Argentina as part of FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers at Centenario Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Sandro Pereyra/Getty Images)

The last international break of 2019 commences this week and the Barcelona players are involved in some exciting fixtures.

16 Barcelona plays are called up for their respective national teams, including 5 from Barca B. While the South American teams have their friendlies, the European players play their final two Euro 2020 qualification matches.

Leo Messi makes his return for the Argentina squad since his 3 months ban at the end of the Copa America campaign.

Let us have a look at which Blaugrana stars are away and what their agendas are for the next couple of weeks.

(Fixtures from FC Barcelona)

Marc-André ter Stegen

TALLINN, ESTONIA – OCTOBER 13: Marc-André ter Stegen of Germany warms up ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between Estonia and Germany on October 13, 2019 in Tallinn, Estonia. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)
TALLINN, ESTONIA – OCTOBER 13: Marc-André ter Stegen of Germany warms up ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between Estonia and Germany on October 13, 2019 in Tallinn, Estonia. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)
  • Germany – Belarus (Saturday, November 16th, 8.45 pm CET) – Euro 2020 qualification
  • Germany – Northern Ireland (Tuesday, November 19th, 8.45 pm CET) – Euro 2020 qualification

Barcelona’s first-choice goalkeeper is likely to be benched by Joachim Low as the German coach still favors Manuel Neuer over the Barca star. Germany are still fighting to qualify for Euro 2020 with Netherland currently sitting at the top with Northern Ireland trailing closely behind.

Ivan Rakitic

CARDIFF, WALES – OCTOBER 13: Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between Wales and Croatia at Cardiff City Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Kevin Barnes – CameraSport via Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES – OCTOBER 13: Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between Wales and Croatia at Cardiff City Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Kevin Barnes – CameraSport via Getty Images)
  • Croatia – Slovakia (Saturday, November 16th, 8.45 pm CET) – Euro 2020 qualification
  • Croatia – Georgia (Tuesday November 19, 6.00pm CET) – Euro 2020 qualification

Rakitic will look for a rare start in the upcoming international break. Croatia sits at the top of Group E and will continue to perform in the two home Euro 2020 qualifier matches. Rakitic’s performance with Croatia might have an effect on his playing days with Barcelona or the interests of other European clubs.

Sergio Busquets

OSLO, NORWAY – OCTOBER 12: Sergio Busquets of Spain gestures during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between Norway and Spain on October 12, 2019 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
OSLO, NORWAY – OCTOBER 12: Sergio Busquets of Spain gestures during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between Norway and Spain on October 12, 2019 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
  • Spain – Malta (Friday November 15, 8.45pm CET) – Euro 2020 qualification
  • Spain – Romania (Monday, November 18, 8.45pm CET) – Euro 2020 qualification

Sergio Busquets is the only player representing the Blaugrana in the Spanish squad. Moreno’s side have already qualified for Euro 2020 and will continue to keep their unbeaten streak in the Euro qualifiers.

Arthur Melo

PORTO, PORTUGAL – MARCH 23: Arthur Melo of Brazil in action during the International Friendly match between Brazil and Panama at Estadio do Dragao on March 23, 2019 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
PORTO, PORTUGAL – MARCH 23: Arthur Melo of Brazil in action during the International Friendly match between Brazil and Panama at Estadio do Dragao on March 23, 2019 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
  • Brazil – Argentina (Friday, November 15, 6.00pm CET) – Friendly
  • Brazil – South Korea (Tuesday, November 19, 2.30 pm CET) – Friendly

Arthur has been called up by Tite’s Brazil for their two friendlies over the international break. It will be interesting to see the Brazilian with his national squad as many claim that his performance here is much better than what he displays with Barca.

Luis Suárez

Uruguay’s Luis Suarez holds the ball after his penalty was stopped by Peru’s goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during the penalty shoot-out after tying 0-0 during their Copa America football tournament quarter-final match at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, Brazil, on June 29, 2019. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP) (Photo credit should read RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty Images)
Uruguay’s Luis Suarez holds the ball after his penalty was stopped by Peru’s goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during the penalty shoot-out after tying 0-0 during their Copa America football tournament quarter-final match at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, Brazil, on June 29, 2019. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP) (Photo credit should read RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty Images)
  • Hungary – Uruguay (Friday November 15, 7.00pm CET) – Friendly
  • Argentina – Uruguay (Monday, November 18th, 8.15 pm CET) – Friendly

Luis Suarez has forced his way to play for Uruguay despite his physical problems at Barcelona this season. He recently struggled with injury over the last few weeks and only managed to return as a substitute in Saturday’s fixture against Celta Vigo. With Barcelona’s physicians concerning over the Uruguay skipper’s ability to remain fit during the international break, Suarez will face heavy criticism if he picks up an injury over the coming week.

Leo Messi

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – JULY 06: Lionel Messi of Argentina controls the ball during the Copa America Brazil 2019 Third Place match between Argentina and Chile at Arena Corinthians on July 06, 2019 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – JULY 06: Lionel Messi of Argentina controls the ball during the Copa America Brazil 2019 Third Place match between Argentina and Chile at Arena Corinthians on July 06, 2019 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)
  • Brazil – Argentina (Friday, November 15, 6.00pm CET) – Friendly
  • Argentina – Uruguay (Monday, November 18th, 8.15 pm CET) – Friendly

Barça’s No.10 makes his return for La Albiceleste after serving a three-month ban for his Copa America Red Card and corruption comments. Messi will face two of his team-mates during the two friendlies, Arthur Melo for Brazil, and Luis Suárez with Uruguay.

Clément Lenglet and Antoine Griezmann

PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 10: Clement Lenglet of France and Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal with team mates during UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier match between France and Andorra at Stade de France on September 10, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 10: Clement Lenglet of France and Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal with team mates during UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier match between France and Andorra at Stade de France on September 10, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
  • Françe – Moldova (Thursday, November 14, 8.45 pm CET) – Euro 2020 qualification
  • Albania – France (Sunday, November 17th, 8.45 pm CET) – Euro 2020 qualification

World cup winners, France, are another team yet to qualify for Euro 2020 with Turkey and France sitting at the top of Group H and Iceland trailing right behind. Samuel Umtiti and Ousmane Dembele did not get picked by Deschamps’ side for the upcoming fixtures.

Frenkie De Jong

Frenkie de Jong of Holland during the UEFA EURO 2020 qualifier group C qualifying match between Belarus and The Netherlands at Dinamo stadium on October 13, 2019 in Minsk, Belarus(Photo by ANP Sport via Getty Images)
Frenkie de Jong of Holland during the UEFA EURO 2020 qualifier group C qualifying match between Belarus and The Netherlands at Dinamo stadium on October 13, 2019 in Minsk, Belarus(Photo by ANP Sport via Getty Images)
  • Northern Ireland – Netherlands (Saturday, November 16, 8.45 pm CET) – Euro 2020 qualification
  • Netherlands – Estonia (Tuesday, November 19, 8.45 pm CET) – Euro 2020 qualification

Koeman’s Netherland top Group C along with Germany with Northern Ireland closely behind the two. Frankie de Jong is heading into the final round of the qualifiers and is expected to help the Dutch national team to qualify.

Arturo Vidal

ALICANTE, SPAIN – OCTOBER 12: Arturo Vidal of Chile looks on prior the International friendly match between Colombia and Chile at Estadio Jose Rico Perez on October 12, 2019 in Alicante, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
ALICANTE, SPAIN – OCTOBER 12: Arturo Vidal of Chile looks on prior the International friendly match between Colombia and Chile at Estadio Jose Rico Perez on October 12, 2019 in Alicante, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
  • Peru – Chile (Wednesday, November 20, 2.30 pm CET) – Friendly

Arturo Vidal has been called up for Chile’s friendly against Peru. Their fixture against Bolivia has been canceled as the break comes amid a tense political time for both countries.

Iñaki Peña, Jorge Cuenca, Ansu Fati and Abel Ruiz (Barcelona B)

PODGORICA, MONTENEGRO – OCTOBER 15: Ansu Fati of Spain kicks the ball during the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifying match between Montenegro and Spain on October 15, 2019 in Podgorica, Montenegro. (Photo by Filip Filipovic/MB Media/Getty Images)
PODGORICA, MONTENEGRO – OCTOBER 15: Ansu Fati of Spain kicks the ball during the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifying match between Montenegro and Spain on October 15, 2019 in Podgorica, Montenegro. (Photo by Filip Filipovic/MB Media/Getty Images)
  • Spain U21 – Macedonia (Thursday, November 14, 7.45 pm CET) – Euro U21 qualification
  • Israel – Spain U21 (Tuesday, November 19, 6.30 pm CET) – Euro U21 qualification

The Barcelona B prospects will look to impress in the U21 qualifications to push for a spot in the first-team. Ansu Fati will be expected to play a crucial part in the squad’s attack as he already has started alongside Messi, Suarez, and Griezmann.

Ludovit Reis (Barcelona B)

DOETINCHEM, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 11: Ludovit Reis of Holland U21 during the U21 Men match between Holland v Portugal at the De Vijverberg on October 11, 2019 in Doetinchem Netherlands (Photo by Peter Lous/Soccrates/Getty Images)
DOETINCHEM, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 11: Ludovit Reis of Holland U21 during the U21 Men match between Holland v Portugal at the De Vijverberg on October 11, 2019 in Doetinchem Netherlands (Photo by Peter Lous/Soccrates/Getty Images)
  • Netherlands U21 – Gibraltar (Thursday, November 14, 7.00 pm CET) – Euro U21 qualification

The 19-year-old will look to impress the Barca hierarchy with his promising talent.

Which of these fixtures are you excited for?

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