Eight things to get you through every day of the international break | OneFootball

Even during the international break there are interesting stories to follow, we promise. And we don’t just mean transfer gossip or kit releases.

To help you through the two-week domestic hiatus, here are the big storylines to keep an eye on.

Wednesday 20 March: Germany’s new era

No Mats Hummels, no Jérôme Boateng, no Thomas Müller. After a disastrous World Cup and relegation in their first ever Nations League campaign, Germany are going for a big old revamp.

On Wednesday they face Serbia and Joachim Löw needs his side to perform, otherwise he’ll be under huge pressure as soon as Euro 2020 qualifying is underway.

Can the next generation step up or is Löw approaching the end of his days in charge of the team?

Thursday 21 March: The future’s Oranje!

After failing to qualify for two tournaments in a row, the Netherlands are back.

Their Nations League efforts displayed as much and we’re hoping it was no false dawn.

With the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt bossing it in the Champions League, they’re surely equipped to lead a new era for the national team?

Friday 22 March: England’s Young Lions

If the future doesn’t belong to the Netherlands, it probably belongs to England.

Jadon Sancho has already burst onto the scene and into Gareth Southgate’s plans this season. Now he’s no longer the new boy in the squad.

With Declan Rice and Callum Hudson-Odoi called up for the first time, England’s young team just got a little bit younger and a lot more exciting.

(Bonus) Friday 22 March: Messi and Ronaldo return

Maybe you don’t want to watch England?

Fine. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo haven’t played for their countries since the World Cup. That’s set to change on Friday.

You’re welcome.

Saturday 23 March: Luis Enrique’s Spain

We were going to mention Italy but NONE of their last seven games have featured more than two goals.

So, Spain it is. The three-times European champions have won 17(!) European qualifying home games in a row.

We’re still not entirely sure how Luis Enrique wants his Spain side to look, this is a great chance for him to experiment.

Sunday 24 March: Old foes face off

We’ve already touched on Germany and the Netherlands here. The two old rivals are moving in opposite directions and they’re doing it quickly.

In the Nations League late last year, the Dutch side beat Germany 3-0 in Amsterdam before coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw in Gelsenkirchen.

This should be the game of the week by a country mile.

Monday 25 March: France v Iceland

The world champions surprisingly only drew with Iceland last October. And they were lucky to manage that.

An early slip-up here in Euro 2020 qualifying and France could be in a spot of bother.

Tuesday/Wednesday 26/27 March: USA rebuild goes on

Christian Pulisic. Tyler Adams. Weston McKennie.

Just three reasons to watch the USMNT this month. The young rebuild goes on and it’s exciting us. Of the current squad, 13 players have earned fewer than 10 USA caps.

And that’s without Timothy Weah and Josh Sargent. Another new era begins and it promises to be the best America has ever seen.

(We’re cheating a bit but this one takes place on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, depending on which timezone you’re in.)

Thursday 28 March: Recharge your batteries

Seriously. Just have a day off before the big club stuff returns at the weekend.

See a film, go outside, meet up with some friends. Just don’t try to watch even more football.