Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has lavished praise on Lamine Yamal, who could be handed another start despite featuring from the off in their previous three outings.
With just hours to go before their final fixture of the current international break in the Nations League, Luis de la Fuente held his pre-match press conference ahead of Croatia vs Spain.
What to expect from Croatia following their 7-0 thrashing by England
“I expect the very team we had prepared for. They are a fantastic, top-tier outfit. Over the past decade, they have established themselves as one of the standout national sides in world football, packed to the brim with exceptional talent. What unfolded the other day was a footballing freak accident. That happens once in a blue moon. It is in no way an accurate reflection of the gap in quality between Croatia and England. However, it could serve as extra fuel for them—a heavy blow like that hurts your pride deeply. We are equally determined to deliver a commanding performance and seal qualification,” he said.
Lamine Yamal starting every match so far
“We have consistently selected our strongest possible side for every individual fixture. Ever since this format was introduced, I have warned about the physical demands involved. We picked the optimal eleven for those games. As a rule, nobody is supposed to exceed 270 minutes across four matches,” he explained.
Is Lamine clamouring for another start?
“He always wants to be out there, just like the rest of the squad. Even those who completed the full 90 minutes two days ago will insist they are in peak condition if you ask them. He is in sensational form, a born competitor. He is in prime shape to feature in a fixture of tomorrow’s magnitude, as are several of his team-mates who are fully fit,” De la Fuente noted.
Has the World Cup eased the pressure on Lamine?
“He strives to be the very best; he is a born winner. He carries that anxiety of a genius striving to perform at the level he knows he can reach. I don’t mean ‘anxiety’ in a negative sense—a true competitor is simply desperate for the action to start. Our ambition is off the charts. This group never tires of competing and always hungers for more. That sums up Lamine completely. That is the mentality of an elite athlete,” the manager stressed.
The harmony within the camp
“All the credit goes to the quality of the players. They consistently deliver because they are truly extraordinary. We know exactly which profiles fit our footballing philosophy, and the human element in this dressing room is remarkable. Anyone coming into the setup hits the ground running. They feel welcomed and at ease from day one, which translates directly onto the pitch,” he stated.
Managing an extended international window
“They can hardly complain! They have had up to two days off, so there is no room for grumbling… Coexisting as a group is effortless. It is a wonderful squad; they are genuinely close friends. We haven’t had to reinvent the wheel; we have maintained continuity. We are constantly building upon what we have established so far. They take everything in their stride, train with exemplary professionalism, and look after themselves meticulously. We spend a lot of time together and it is thoroughly enjoyable. It is an absolute privilege to lead this group of players,” he said.
Thoughts on the demanding international calendar
“I am fiercely competitive. That said, when it comes to the fixture schedule and the recovery periods required to prepare for matches, I stand by my criticism. Playing four matches in ten days with so much travel is simply too much. I preferred the previous format, but it is what it is. We are not ones to whinge; we adapt to whatever comes our way. No excuses here,” De la Fuente insisted.
Everyday reality after the World Cup
“Football elevates you one day and brings you crashing down the next. Overnight, you can go from hero to zero. We are braced for every eventuality. I never overdramatise setbacks because, in football, you lose far more frequently than you win. Everything unfolds in its own time. We must channel our energy into what we can control, always keeping our feet firmly planted on the ground,” he remarked.
Mikel Merino yet to start in this window
“He has worked with me forever; we have been through thick and thin together. My philosophy is straightforward: a player is not inherently more important simply because he starts. The player introduced around the 60-minute mark often exerts a greater influence on securing a positive result. To me, every single squad member matters. In practice, with everything Mikel offers in those closing stages, he invariably unlocks solutions. Could he start? Absolutely, but bringing him off the bench gives us a massive boost,” the head coach explained.
An emotional return for Dani Olmo
“Occasions like these provide tremendous motivation. That said, Dani also knows how to adapt to the tempo and rhythm of a game. Heading back to Croatia is not the deciding factor. We will assess our tactical plan tonight to determine when it makes the most sense to introduce him. He is exceptionally fired up. He is revered in Croatia, as we have witnessed first-hand. He is a guaranteed asset for us,” De la Fuente concluded.
