Santi Denia: Spain absences will not ease Czech Republic’s challenge

Santi Denia insists the absence of Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Dani Olmo will not make Spain easier to beat as Czech Republic seek their first points of the UEFA Nations League campaign.

Czech Republic host Spain in Prague on Thursday in the fifth round of the group stage, with Spain leading on 12 points after four consecutive victories. Czech Republic are bottom without a point and have lost all four of their matches.

Denia, who knows Spain well after coaching their Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 teams, rejected any suggestion that the visitors’ injuries represented an advantage.

“It is not good news that Lamine and Rodri are absent,” Denia told Cadena SER. “We would have liked Lamine Yamal to be there. Fans pay for tickets to watch Lamine, but it is not in our hands.”

He added: “Should I name their replacements? That is what makes Spain the best. It is a shame they are missing because supporters want to see them, but we will do everything we can to win and give our best.”

The Czech Republic manager also said Spain’s identity would remain unchanged despite the missing players.

“This will not change anything for us. Spain’s style has not changed and the structure of the opposition is the same,” he said. “To defend against Lamine, you need support from the team, but it must always be collective. Defend and attack as a team; we do not ask players to deal with individual battles alone.”

Denia backs his project

Despite Czech Republic’s poor results, Denia said he remained convinced by the direction of the team and the approach being developed with the players.

“We are on the right path,” he said. “When players do not believe in your message, you notice it. The truth is that they, Pavel Nedved and the sporting administration believe in it. They are enjoying this journey, and it is the best way forward. We believe in it.”

Denia said his squad had no absentees for the match, which he regarded as an important positive.

“We will see the line-up Spain choose and the line-up we can choose,” he said. “We have no absences, and that is the most important thing.”

The coach also addressed Patrik Schick’s decision to retire from international football after the World Cup. Schick has scored 26 goals for Czech Republic.

“I prefer to talk about the players who are here now,” Denia said. “They are the ones who have to perform well tomorrow. The door is open to anyone who wants to return and we would all be happy, because he is a role model for everyone. But it is a personal decision.”

Thursday’s match will be Denia’s second as Czech Republic manager against his home nation. He said he wanted Spain to continue winning after the game, but first hoped his side could end their run.

“I know them all and it is a pleasure to see them, but once the match starts, you forget everything,” he said.

Denia praised former pupil Fermin Lopez, saying: “I am not objective in my assessment of the players because I consider many of them, such as Fermin, like my own children. I am very happy with his performances. He is enjoying himself.”

He acknowledged differences between Czech and Spanish football, while defending the domestic league and highlighting Slavia’s participation in the Champions League.

To cause an upset, Denia believes Czech Republic must deliver a complete performance.

“We have to play a perfect match: set pieces, defensive play, pressing and defensive organisation,” he said. “Our task is to make the players believe it is possible.”