The Top Flight
Fansided

7 matches to watch during the September international break

By Orri Benatar

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 15: Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates with the trophy after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 15: Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates with the trophy after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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CARDIFF, WALES – JUNE 03: Giorgio Chiellini of Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid battle for possession during the UEFA Champions League Final between Juventus and Real Madrid at National Stadium of Wales on June 3, 2017 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES – JUNE 03: Giorgio Chiellini of Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid battle for possession during the UEFA Champions League Final between Juventus and Real Madrid at National Stadium of Wales on June 3, 2017 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /

Denmark v Wales (SUN 9/9)

UEFA Nations League – Aarhus – 12:00 pm EST – ESPN+

The original headline of this match was Christian Eriksen vs. Gareth Bale. Wales returns to competitive football two years removed from their semifinal run at Euro 2016. Denmark almost made the World Cup quarterfinals last summer behind the heroics of Kasper Schmeichel. This game got a lot stranger with the Danes not having ANY senior players.

Currently, the squad is made up of players from the Danish C and D leagues and some members of the futsal team. Why? Because of a disagreement between the Danish FA and senior players on image use rights in commercials. If nothing is solved by Sunday, Gareth Bale and Wales will play against an amateur team and probably score at least five goals.

Portugal v Italy (MON 9/10)

UEFA Nations League – Lisbon – 2:45 pm EST – ESPN+

Forgot to mention that after Germany v France and England v Spain, Ronaldo and Portugal will host Italy in their first Nations league contest. It’s an important time for both nations. This could be Ronaldo’s last ride with Portugal with a young core of talent joining him to defend their European crown. As for Italy, it’s a new era with Roberto Mancini trying to return the Azzurri to the World Cup in 2022.

The other intriguing storyline in this match is Ronaldo’s first match against his Juventus teammates. Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bouncci will play the best player on the planet from a different perspective than in previous encounters. Italy’s squad also features Jorginho, Lorenzo Insigne, and Mario Balotelli.

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