5 AC Milan Players to Watch on International Duty Week of October 6

Just six players from AC Milan were called up this week by their countries to play various Euro 2016 qualifiers and friendlies during the international break. A couple of injuries forced out Giacomo Bonaventura and Ignazio Abate, and Riccardo Montolivo is still recovering from pre-World Cup surgery, but, alas, the number is still low.

The two standouts are Keisuke Honda and Nigel de Jong, both stars of the early season for Milan. They are both as important to their countries as they are to Milan.

Let's take a look at the rest.

Keisuke Honda

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Honda and Japan will play Jamaica in a friendly and then a big one against Brazil.

Honda somewhat lost his appeal with the Japanese after insisting they would win the World Cup. He has since found his form with Milan, scoring four goals.

With Japan, he plays behind the striker in his favourite position. Honda is used as a winger at Milan, but he has accepted the role, and he has run with it (quite literally). There is no doubting his effort, and he will likely try to convince his country once again of his abilities. 

Cristian Zapata

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Cristian Zapata is trying to break into the Milan team. In the few games he has played this season, Zapata has not been too much of a problem. 

But he is certainly a starter for Colombia, and he will likely try to use these next couple of games against El Salvador and Canada as a springboard for more success with the Rossoneri.

Zapata told Milan Channel (h/t Rossoneri Blog) that he liked the responsibility he had during the World Cup. He currently does not have that much at Milan, and he is working to make the change.

Nigel de Jong

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Nigel de Jong had a real understanding with former Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal, and it looks like Guus Hiddink is building on the work done by his predecessor.

De Jong is a ball-winning midfielder. His high-footed kung fu tackle on Xabi Alonso still seems to symbolize De Jong's style of play, and while the Dutchman does have a collection of yellow cards, he is really worth so much more.

"I never like to put individual players in the spotlight,'' Van Gaal said after a 3-2 win over Australia in Brazil, per The Associated Press, via Yahoo Sports. ''But the way Nigel de Jong led from the front was imposing.''

Mattia De Sciglio

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The season started slowly for Mattia De Sciglio. He scored an own goal. He lost his man several times.

He has not looked comfortable as a left-back, but that is where coach Pippo Inzaghi has continued to play him. Often, De Sciglio switches to his right foot to make a cross or take a shot. It is sometimes an odd sight.

With Italy, it's different. De Sciglio has often been deployed as a right wing-back, and he works best there. The 21-year-old can get up and down the field, and maybe Italy coach Antonio Conte can teach him a few things.

Andrea Poli

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Andrea Poli is not a guaranteed starter for Milan, and he is a bench player for Italy. Still, he is representing both, and his grit and running keep the interest. 

Poli is a dynamo of midfielder who can add lots of energy to the game. In many ways, he is a Conte-like player, with lots of hustle and a great attitude.