The dreaded international break is finally coming to a close this weekend as Barcelona play host to Real Valladolid on Monday evening at the Camp Nou Stadium. As many as 14 players from the Barcelona squad were called up for national team duties across the World Cup qualifiers, friendlies and U-21’s. The likes of Griezmann, Pedri, Jordi Alba and Busquets were simply amazing for their respective national teams. However, a few flopped, and the 4th Official lists out the three poor performers for Barcelona during the international break.
Poor Performers For Barca During International Break
Oscar Mingueza
Oscar Mingueza had a debut to forget against Italy in the U-21 fixtures as he was sent off under unclear circumstances in the closing minutes of the game. The player was sent off after an altercation and it seemed baseless. Nevertheless, the game ended in a stalemate, and this was not a debut to remember. The player will be available for selection once again in the next run of matches.
Marc Andre Ter Stegen
In a rare opportunity presented to him ahead of Manuel Neuer, Ter Stegen failed miserably and let in two goals in 1-2 defeat at the hands of Macedonia. Low entrusted Ter Stegen with Germany’s final game of the international break, and it did not seem to end well at the full-time whistle.
A defensive slip-up by Germany cost them the game. The goalie could have done very little about the two goals that he conceded, but it was a wasted opportunity at the end of the day.
Ousmane Dembele
Dembele’s career has been extremely injury prone, but he earned his first call up for France since the last outing in November 2019. The player was fit this time around and even got plenty of minutes under his belt in the two appearances he made during the international break for Didier Deschamps’ side.
In the 115 minutes he played, Dembele scored a beautiful goal against Kazakhstan but his finishing let him down on more than one occasion. The Barca star must keep up his fitness levels in order to nail down his place in the France squad ahead of the upcoming World-Cup. Frankly, he has to do better if he wants to be a regular part of the French national team.
