Manchester City on International Duty: Euro 2020 Qualifiers – Matchday 5

After a strong start to the 2019/20 English Premier League season, several of Manchester City’s senior squad will depart for the international break. The European contingency will look to help their sides qualify for the 2020 European Championships whilst the South Americans will embark on a series of international friendlies. Meanwhile, Riyad Mahrez and Algeria will look to defend the Africa Cup of Nations as they kickstart their 2021 qualification campaign.

First, the European contingency. In Group A, Raheem Sterling’s England will take on Bulgaria and Kosovo. The Three Lions currently sit at the top of the group, having earned two victories from a possible two. Kyle Walker, Daniel Grimshaw, Scott Carson and Phil Foden were not called up to the English men’s national team.

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ukraine will look to maintain their undefeated record in Group B as they take on Lithuania this weekend. The Zbirna will then face Nigeria in an international friendly on Tuesday. Elsewhere in Group B, Bernardo Silva, João Cancelo and Portugal will look to make up ground as the Navigators face Serbia and Lithuania.

İlkay Gündoğan and Germany will take on the Netherlands and Northern Ireland in Group C. Following a poor performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Die Mannschaft will want to qualify for the European Championships as a way to make amends for their poor World Cup showing.

In Group F, Rodri and Spain will face Faroe Islands and Romania. Angeliño was not called up to the Spanish senior team.

Finally, Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgium will face San Marino and Scotland in Group I. Should the Red Devils win these matches, they will be one of the first European teams to qualify for Euro 2020.

Outside of Europe, Chile, Argentina and Brazil will compete in a series of international friendlies. Claudio Bravo has recovered from his Achilles injury and will compete with Chile as they face Argentina and Honduras.

Nicolás Otamendi and Argentina will face Chile and Mexico. Sergio Agüero was not recalled to play with Argentina. Finally, Ederson and Brazil will face Columbia and Peru. Fernandinho was not recalled to the Brazilian national team.

Unfortunately for John Stones, Leroy Sané, Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy and Gabriel Jesus, the quintuple will not feature on international duty as they are injured.

David Silva retired from the Spanish national team in 2018.