“Hmmm what football to watch this weekend. Premier League? No, it’s the international break. Serie A? No, it’s the international break. La Liga? No, it’s the international break. International break. International break. International break!”
You can’t escape the break in the calender for international football, as each nation prepares for their next World Cup qualifier. It, however, leads to the mind numbingly dull two week hiatus from “real” football, with fans wholeheartedly against the notion of country over club, a far cry from 15 years ago when turning out for your nation was the highest honour.
Now, however, supporters have continuously turned their back on the lure of international football, with club now taking preference over country. While the break gives players the chance to refresh and recharge should they not be selected for their nation, the lack of domestic action is nothing more than a disappointing facet of the footballing calender.
There are teams who welcome the time away from the domestic calender, with those in the hunt for a European finish utilising the time away from commitments in their respective league and continental competition to welcome players back from injury, but as a football fan: this time away from the game is the most disappointing in the season.