Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has spoken out on Lamine Yamal’s departure from the national team after suffering hamstring discomfort during the Nations League match against Denmark.
The 17-year-old, Spain’s centerpiece at the last Euro, was criticized for playing too much. However, De la Fuente defended his choices, saying: “ Lamine had some discomfort and told me that he would not be 100% on Tuesday. When in doubt, we always prioritize the athlete’s health. »
Luis de la Fuente responds to criticism after Yamal’s departure
The coach denied any tension with FC Barcelona, explaining: “ I haven’t spoken to anyone at Barça, but Lamine showed maturity by telling me that he wasn’t feeling well. I thank him for that. »
As Spain prepare to face Serbia, De la Fuente stressed the importance of managing players without compromising their health: ” We are not suicide bombers. We use the tools at our disposal to win, but always respecting the players. »
