Argentina, France Stars Struggle, Inter Milan Prepares
The international break has been a mixed bag for some of Europe's biggest stars. While some shone brightly on the world stage, others struggled to find their rhythm. This is particularly true for the stars of Argentina and France, who are preparing for a grueling season ahead.
Argentina's Champions Suffer
Despite lifting the Copa America title last summer, Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates faced a frustrating international break. In a disappointing performance, they were held to a goalless draw by Chile, a result that was followed by a hard-fought 1-0 win over Colombia.
While Messi was the star of the show against Colombia, scoring the winning goal with a superb free-kick, his overall performance across both matches was not at his usual high standard. He was often isolated in attack and failed to create as many chances as he's known for.
France Faces Familiar Foes
France, the current World Cup champions, also faced a series of difficult matches during the international break. They were held to a 1-1 draw by Bosnia and Herzegovina before narrowly defeating Ukraine 1-0. These results, while not disastrous, highlighted some defensive vulnerabilities that could prove costly in the upcoming season.
Kylian Mbappé, the star striker of both Paris Saint-Germain and France, was not at his best during the international break. He failed to find the back of the net in either game and appeared frustrated at times.
Inter Milan's Preparations
While the international break was a mixed bag for the stars of Argentina and France, Inter Milan is using this time to prepare for a busy season ahead. The Nerazzurri, having won Serie A last season, will be looking to defend their title and also challenge for European success.
The club has been active in the transfer market, signing Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Denzel Dumfries. These additions will strengthen the squad and give Inter even more options in attack and defence.
What's Next?
The international break is now over, and the focus shifts back to club football. With the Champions League group stage draw on August 26, the race is on for Inter Milan to get ready for the new season. They will be looking to build on their recent successes and make a strong start to the campaign.
However, the performances of the stars from Argentina and France will be a point of concern for their respective clubs. While they remain two of the best players in the world, their recent struggles could have an impact on their club form in the upcoming season.
This season promises to be exciting, with Inter Milan, Messi, and Mbappé all looking to dominate. Stay tuned to see how these stars perform in the coming months.
