Luis de la Fuente has suggested Lamine Yamal may be rested when Spain face the Czech Republic in the third round of the Nations League on Saturday.
The Spain manager declined to confirm his starting line-up for the match at Carlos Tartiere during a news conference on Friday, with a congested schedule and a growing injury list influencing his plans. Ferran Torres was the latest player to withdraw from the squad.
De la Fuente said player fitness would take priority when selecting his team.
“The problem with this system and this schedule is the limited time available for recovery,” he said. “If a player feels any discomfort, we prefer to prioritise the player’s health. We want him to be in excellent physical condition.”
Explaining his approach to rotation, De la Fuente said the team would select those in the best condition for each position.
“When we talk about rotation, we are describing one reality: choosing the players who are in the best physical condition for each position,” he said. “The goalkeeper’s position is more stable, but the other positions can change.”
Asked directly whether Yamal would play, De la Fuente gave no guarantee that the teenager would start.
“We will field the team best suited to winning the match,” he said. “Lamine did not complete 90 minutes with these circumstances in mind, just like some of his team-mates.”
However, De la Fuente stressed that Yamal remained central to Spain’s plans, regardless of whether he began the game or came on later.
“Lamine is an important player at any time, whether he starts or comes on as a substitute in the 60th or 45th minute,” he said. “His performance is not affected by that. We believe he will be more effective during the minutes he plays.”
The manager also praised the 19-year-old’s continued development and maturity.
“We see him maturing day by day,” De la Fuente said. “He is an enjoyable player to watch, he understands every situation better and accepts any suggestion. It is great news.”
Speaking about the Czech Republic and their manager Santi Denia, De la Fuente warned that Spain would face a difficult opponent despite their familiarity with one another.
“We know each other well, but it is the players who change the way the game is played,” he said. “The Czech Republic are a very difficult opponent and can be a trap for those who do not know them, but not for us.”
Spain’s manager also underlined the range of tactical options available to his side.
“We have many tactics, and it is not easy to defend against us,” he said.
