SPAIN COACH PROVIDES POSITIVE UPDATE ON YAMAL’S KNEE INJURY

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has expressed optimism that Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal will recover in time to face England in the Nations League on Sunday.

The 19-year-old will miss Spain’s encounter against the Czech Republic in Prague on Thursday due to a knee problem but is expected to join the national team after the match.

Yamal featured in Barcelona’s 2-1 La Liga victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday. However, Spain announced on Monday that the winger would not travel with the squad for Thursday’s fixture.

Speaking to reporters, De la Fuente explained that medical examinations in Barcelona revealed inflammation and fluid accumulation in Yamal’s knee, making rest necessary.

“He got hurt in the last match, he had some discomfort in one knee, he went for the usual treatment, a scan in Barcelona, and they saw he had inflammation and fluid in the knee — that meant he needed rest,” the coach said.

He added that he decided against bringing Yamal to the camp without knowing whether he would be fit enough to play, noting that the medical teams of both Spain and Barcelona maintained a good working relationship.

De la Fuente said he had spoken with the youngster and was encouraged by the progress of his recovery ahead of England’s visit to Madrid on Sunday.

“He’s doing a series of exercises with his physio and with the club that indicate the recovery is going well,” he said.

“We believe, I’m optimistic, that on Friday he’ll be with us.”

The Spain coach also dismissed suggestions that Yamal, who finished third in the October Ballon d’Or voting, receives preferential treatment compared to other members of the national team.

According to him, the same considerations would have been extended to any other player in a similar situation.

“He has no privileges, and his team-mates are relaxed about it, because we treat everyone the same,” De la Fuente added.

“In similar situations we would have done exactly the same for any other player, and the players know that.”

Spain have won all four of their matches in Group A3 and have already secured qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals.

De la Fuente’s side are also unbeaten in their last 43 competitive matches, a record the coach said has inspired the team to continue setting new milestones.

He admitted that reaching 35 consecutive unbeaten games had once seemed like an extraordinary achievement, but the team are now determined to extend the run to 44.

Spain secured their previous victory away against Croatia, with Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino scoring twice.

Merino has often been deployed as a substitute by De la Fuente, but has delivered important goals in that role, including decisive strikes against Portugal and Belgium during the World Cup this summer.

The midfielder acknowledged that he would prefer more playing time but insisted he would respect the coach’s decisions.

“Of course, what player wouldn’t like to get (more) minutes?” Merino said.

“You’ll never hear me complain about the coach’s decision, I will respect it… but all players want to be important, have minutes and enjoy themselves on the pitch.”