National team panic

Spanish football lives at a time when if it rides a circus, the dwarfs grow. The lack of a goal is one of the great concerns of the national championship. Another, the disappearance of the colossi of all the pools of favorites for the Champions League and the Europa League that are about to begin. And now, the FIFA Virus has arrived. The dreaded FIFA Virus, which, of course, always hurts the most to those who see their majority of footballers catch a plane and travel the world to defend the jersey of his national team. Now even more. Due to the months of hiatus, in each window three matches will be played by Selection, compared to the two that were played previously. More cargo, more trips, more risk of injury, less acclimatization time on the way back …

This has been seen in the sixth day in the First Division. Of the four teams classified for the Champions League, only Atlético de Madrid has added the three points. In addition, he did it with great suffering against a Celta de Vigo who was able to open his marker on several occasions and collided with Oblak, the stick or the inaccuracy in the final meters. Real Madrid, Barcelona and Seville, Conversely, they were not able to get a single point. Zidane had to rotate due to the wear and tear and the kilometers of some of his key men such as Casemiro. Nothing is further from reality, Modric or Kroos were fatigued and in need of rest and the usual substitutes like Isco or Marcelo did not show the usual level.

Sevilla, meanwhile, fell to Granada, in a duel in which De Jong or Lucas Ocampos were substitutes. This is what Lopetegui decided after the international break in which they actively participated with their national teams. After the break he gave them entry, but they were not able to rescue even a point. The expulsion of Joan Jordán was also momentous. Barça closed Saturday afternoon with its controversial setbacks in the Getafe field. Those of Bordalás played at maximum voltage, as usual, and that is something to which Barça could not respond. Messi was somewhat more erratic than usual; Griezmann, despite being in a more centered position, again gave the feeling of feeling lost; and the rotations, including the ownership of Dembélé, did not help.

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Marcelo, one of the main players in the match against Cádiz.

In Europe it's something else

If unwritten rules were a certainty in football, the greats would have nothing to worry about and would simply take it as the natural course of events in a season. However, while in Spain there is a 75% chance of falling, in Europe, the Champions League fighters take their games forward in one way or another. In the Premier, the Liverpool tied away from home against him Everton, something little surprising seeing the start of the course of those of Ancelotti. Did not fail United, who thrashed 1-4 at Newcastle. Neither him Manchester City, which won the Arsenal in Arteta's reunion with Guardiola. The only one but he starred in Chelsea, who added a draw at home against Southampton. In his defense, it should be noted that he made defensive mistakes that have little to do with the wear and tear of the break.

In Germany, the plenary session is also close. He Bayern Munich he thrashed 1-4 at Bielefeld; he Leipzig was imposed as a visitor to Augsburg (0-2); and the Dortmund did the same away from home before him Hoffenheim (0-1). The discordant note is noted by the Monchengladbach, who closed his duel before him Wolfsburg with a tie to one. Of course, it should be noted that the team trained by Marco Rose has so far a poor record of a victory, two draws and a defeat. In other words, it has done nothing more than follow the continuity of previous days.

As has happened in Spain, in Italy the Champions teams have hit a wall behind the FIFA windows. The Juventus did not go beyond the tie against Crotone, with the confirmed withdrawal of Cristiano Ronaldo. He Inter succumbed to a Milan plugged into Serie A. In the derby, the 'rossoneros' got all three points thanks to a double from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Neither did the Atalanta before him Naples. In the confrontation of the two most offensively revolutionary teams on the continent, Gattuso's men were victorious 4-1. In France, PSG Y Marseilles resolved their duels with victory, while the Rennes settled for a draw in the field of Dijon.

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Bayern does not understand international breaks.

The FIFA Virus and COVID-19

One of the most notorious cases at the sporting level since the pandemic began at the beginning of the year has been the positive of Cristiano Ronaldo in the concentration of Portugal. His contagion has generated a lot of media stir, after the footballer's decision not to pass the quarantine in his native country and return to Turin in an ambulance plane. Controversy aside with Spadafora and the Italian health authorities, the Portuguese must pass quarantine until he gives several negatives, something that will negatively affect the Juventus. In addition, the protocol of the Champions marks that it must be negative one week before the celebration of a party, reason why it seems complicated that it arrives at the reencounter with Leo Messi.

Not only the Portuguese has fallen into this international break. In Spain there are two cases, which could also have a significant sporting impact. Chakla, an unusual center-back at Villarreal, tested positive in Morocco. Now, he must stay there until the tests reveal that he has overcome the disease. Seeing other cases, the defender could even be a month away from Castellón, plus the adaptation back to the team that he would need once he lands and is under the command of Unai Emery. Koundé was able to return and in Spain the test that confirmed his medical leave was carried out. Although everything seems to indicate that his positive came from the lower categories of France, at least he can be in Seville, at home, and prepare whenever he is asymptomatic. Although the number has not been high, it seems clear that once the bubble marked by LaLiga is left, the risk is much greater.

More consequences: injuries, competitive pace …

Before COVID-19 lived among us, the great fear of international stops were injuries. And yes, in this window there have also been big problems, especially for big teams. Real Madrid loses Odegaard for the next month; approximate low time also for Gerard Moreno. Villarreal also loses another capital footballer for two weeks: Pervis Estupiñán. More luck had Ronald Koeman with Pjanic. The Bosnian had to retreat with a blow to the back. Who knows if his discomfort caused him not to play for a single minute against Getafe. Even so, he was able to enter the list and he is expected in full conditions for the Champions League week and the Classic next Saturday. Lucas TorreiraFor his part, he could not even withdraw on his own foot because of the cramps.

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Parejo, injured against Valencia.

Although it is not seen in the statistics, The national teams also cut the preparation of footballers and teams that, two weeks later, have to enter into a competitive rhythm and gambling everything for everything in search of the three points. Of course that also increases the risk of injury, as it has been seen in the day. EqualFor example, he suffers from a muscle problem in the adductor of his left leg and will miss the next month of competition. The extent of the discomfort of Diego Costa. An injury to his left thigh will have him in the dry dock for three weeks. They did not travel with the national teams, but the break has also taken its toll on them.

The next stop, a litmus test

After matchday 9, which will take place on the weekend of November 8, the competition will stop again to play the decisive days of the Nations League. In other words, the players will have to give their maximum to define the destiny of their teams. In America, the stakes will also be high. As well. The grown-ups have reason to worry. Not so much Sevilla, who will host Celta de Vigo at home. Madrid will have to visit the Estadio de la Cerámica, one of the most demanding trips of the entire season. Athletic Y Barcelona they will face each other. Who else accuses the fatigue of their internationals, will regret missing the opportunity to hurt a direct rival.