?Due to their standing as one of the best club sides in the world, you may expect Barcelona to have a large number of players heading off on international duty this week.
However, with several players struggling with fitness concerns, and Lionel Messi currently suspended after his outburst at the Copa America, only a rather modest ten players will be representing their countries in the coming days.
Here is all you need to know about how to catch those ten first-team stars in action.
Arturo Vidal (Chile)
The veteran midfielder looked to be just a fringe player for Barcelona
However, he has shown over the past week that he can still make an impact. His introduction in the second half against Inter in the Champions League brought greater energy to the side, as he assisted Luis Suarez’s stunning equaliser. He was rewarded for his showing by being handed his first league start of the season against Sevilla on Sunday as the reigning champions won 4-0.
This international break sees Chile play two friendlies against Colombia and Guinea, with both matches taking place in Alicante.
| ?Game | ?Date/Time | ?TV Channel/Live Stream |
| ?Colombia vs Chile | ?Saturday, Oct 12 (17:00) | ?Not in UK |
| ?Chile vs Guinea | ?Tuesday, Oct 15 (17:00) | ?Not in UK |
Arthur Melo (Brazil)
Brazil are also just in friendly action over the coming week, but Arthur has far more air miles to clock up. The five-time World Cup winners will be playing their games in Singapore, as they take on two African opponents in Senegal and Nigeria.
Arthur has been in fine form for Barcelona this season, cementing his place as a first-team regular despite Ernesto Valverde having plenty of options to choose from in the midfield department.
The 23-year-old will be looking to transfer his club form onto the international scene this week.
| ?Game | Date/Time? | ?TV Channel/Live Stream |
| ?Brazil vs Senegal | ?Thursday, Oct 10 (13:00) | ?LFC TV |
| ?Brazil vs Nigeria | ?Sunday, Oct 13 (13:00) | ?Not in UK |
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Germany)
Barcelona’s goalkeeper has been a frustrated figure at international level, often having to settle for a place on the bench behind Manuel Neuer
Joachim Low has confirmed that this will remain the case for now, despite ter Stegen
However, it has been confirmed that ter Stegen will be given a rare start in Germany’s friendly at home to Argentina on Wednesday, before dropping back to the bench when the side return to competitive action against Estonia on the weekend.
| ?Game | ?Date/Time | TV Channel/Live Stream? |
| ?Germany vs Argentina | ?Wednesday, Oct 9 (19:45) | ?Sky Sports Football |
| ?Estonia vs Germany | ?Sunday, Oct 13 (19:45) | ?Sky Sports Premier League |
Clement Lenglet & Antoine Griezmann (France)
With Aymeric Laporte and Samuel Umtiti injured, Lenglet will once more be expected to line up alongside Raphael Varane at the heart of France’s defence. His form has been patchy so far this season, ?but Didier Deschamps is likely to keep faith in him.
Meanwhile, Griezmann is yet to show his best in Barcelona colours either following his summer move from Atletico Madrid. Often playing from the left wing in recent games, he has been comfortably outshone by Luis Suarez over the past couple of weeks.
Still, he remains on of France’s key players and will be expected to make an impact as they take on Iceland and Turkey this week.
| ?Game | Date/Time? | ?TV Channel/Live Stream |
| ?Iceland vs France | ?Friday, Oct 11 (19:45) | ?Sky Sports Football |
| ?France vs Turkey | ?Monday, Oct 14 (19:45) | ?Sky Sports Mix/Sky Sports Football |
Frenkie de Jong (Netherlands)
The young Dutch midfielder has had a steady start to life in Spain, often having to play slightly higher up the pitch than he would like to accommodate Sergio Busquets.
He will slot back into his best position at the base of the midfield for his country, as they face an important week ahead. They currently lie third in Group C, but can change all that in their next two games as they face second-placed Northern Ireland followed by Belarus.
| ?Game | ?Date/Time | TV Channel/Live Stream? |
| ?Netherlands vs Northern Ireland | ?Thursday, Oct 10 (19:45) | ?Sky Sports Main Event |
| ?Belarus vs Netherlands | ?Sunday, Oct 13 (17:00) | ?Sky Sports Premier League |
Sergio Busquets (Spain)
| ?Game | ?Date/Time | ?TV Channel/Live Stream |
| ?Norway vs Spain | ?Saturday, Oct 12 (19:45) | ?Sky Sports Football |
| Sweden vs Spain | ?Tuesday, Oct 15 (19:45) | ?Sky Sports Premier League |
Nelson Semedo (Portugal)
However, there is no reason to panic, and they should be able to close the gap to the top this week. They face Luxembourg on Friday, before travelling to group leaders Ukraine next Monday.
| ?Game | Date/Time? | TV Channel/Live Stream |
| ?Portugal vs Luxembourg | ?Friday, Oct 11 (19:45) | ?Sky Sports Premier League |
| ?Ukraine vs Portugal | ?Monday, Oct 14 (19:45) | ?Sky Sports Premier League |
Ivan Rakitic (Croatia)
Croatia are part of a very tight group, as they sit just a point ahead of Slovakia and Hungary, with Wales a further three points back but with a game in hand.
This week will be a crucial one for Rakitic and his teammates, as they face Hungary at home before travelling to Wales over the weekend.
| ?Game | ?Date/Time | ?TV Channel/Live Stream |
| ?Croatia vs Hungary | ?Thursday, Oct 10 (19:45) | ?Sky Sports Football (Red Button) |
| ?Wales vs Croatia | ?Sunday, Oct 13 (19:45) | ?Sky Sports Football/Sky Sports Main Event |
Moussa Wague (Senegal)
At just 21, Wague is (unsurprisingly) struggling to break into the Barcelona first team on a consistent basis, having made just three squads so far this season.
The full back could be pushing for a start for Senegal this week though, but he faces a tough test as his side face Brazil in Singapore. Keeping Neymar and co. quiet will be a difficult task for the youngster.
| ?Game | Date/Time? | TV Channel/Live Stream? |
| ?Brazil vs Senegal | ?Thursday, Oct 10 (13:00) | ?LFC TV |
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