Luis de la Fuente explains Lamine Yamal absence ahead of Czech Republic clash

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente says Lamine Yamal’s absence will not change the way his side approach their UEFA Nations League matches, after the Barcelona winger was left out of the squad to face Czech Republic.

Spain play Czech Republic on Thursday in their fifth Group C fixture in the top tier of the competition.

Yamal has been ruled out because of inflammation in his knee. The Spanish Football Federation said he should be fit to return for the final group match against England.

De la Fuente said the decision was made after Spain’s medical staff assessed the player’s condition, and that Yamal would remain at home to train with Barcelona rather than travel with the squad.

“It does not concern me. I am here to clarify everything, and we would have made the same decision with any other player,” De la Fuente said at his news conference.

“We miss everyone who is not with us, but that is football. We treat everybody in the same way.”

Spain are top of Group C with 12 points from four matches, having won every game so far. The group also includes England and Croatia, as well as Czech Republic.

Asked about the absence of Rodri, De la Fuente praised Martin Zubimendi’s contribution in midfield.

“Martin Zubimendi is the second-best player in the world in this position after Rodri. He gives us a great deal,” he said.

“Absences do not concern me because all the players are very good.”

De la Fuente also discussed his plans for rotating Spain’s goalkeepers and the team’s unbeaten run, saying he had complete confidence in the options available to him.

“We are fortunate to have four outstanding goalkeepers, and any one of them would perform well,” he said.

Spain need to maintain their position at the top of the group, but De la Fuente believes his players already have enough motivation to do so.

“We have to look for every possible source of motivation to keep first place. That is an obvious motivation, and there are others too,” he said.

“I remind them of those things, but they already have more than enough motivation.”