In just over one month, the African Cup of Nations will begin and it can present real difficulties for teams who will sometimes see numerous players depart.
This time it will be played in Ivory Coast from 13 January to 11 February 2024. Initially, the event was supposed to take place between June and July, precisely to avoid overlaps with the commitments of the European clubs, but concerns about the weather conditions in Ivory Coast during our summer led to the move forward.
Considering that the players will normally have to respond to the call-ups a week in advance (except for separate agreements), it means that from 6 January (19th matchday) they will be unavailable. And, in the worst case scenario, i.e. for those who reach the final, they will be absent until the weekend of 10-11 February (24th round), for a total of six games.
There are around fifty players available for call-up in Serie A, a number which can vary given that some are undecided about their future in the national team. One thing is certain: both Inter and Juventus will not send players to the tournament, nor will Lazio.
Milan risk seeing Ismael Bennacer leave after waiting for him for almost seven months. He seriously injured his knee in the first leg of the Champions League derby in May and returned against Frosinone last Saturday, and although he has stated himself that he is uncertain about reporting for Algeria duty it seems more likely he will go if he is well.
“«I still don’t know what I will do when the Africa Cup of Nations comes around. First of all I want to find the rhythm again, then we’ll see if I’m ready. If I am not, the coach. of Algeria will evaluate him, but maybe it is better to take someone who is 100%,” he said.
The Rossoneri, however, will definitely be without the Nigerian Samuel Chukwueze who took part in all the qualifying matches. Napoli are no better off, dealing with the departures of two key players such as the Nigerian Victor Osimhen and the Cameroonian Franck Zambo Anguissa.
Fiorentina will lose Nzola and Kouamé, while Duncan has left the national team unless he has second thoughts. Torino should only say goodbye to Demba Seck, who is part of the Senegalese national team. Roma will also not suffer any particular shocks given that only N’Dicka and Aouar are expected to leave, while Atalanta will be without Lookman (El Bilal Touré is injured and will return in January).