Lamine Yamal out of Spain squad for Czech Republic match; coach hits back at critics

Yamal left out of the Czech Republic game

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente left Lamine Yamal out of the squad for the Nations League match against the Czech Republic in Prague, which kicks off at 20:45 on Thursday, 12 November. The 19-year-old Barcelona winger has a knee problem, and the federation said he would stay with his club rather than travel. Yamal had played in Barcelona's 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid before the problem emerged. He is expected to rejoin the squad at Las Rozas on Friday, 13 November, before Spain face England at the Metropolitano in Madrid on Sunday, 15 November. Mikel Oyarzabal was also kept back from the squad, for different reasons, and is expected to join the group on Friday, 13 November. Spanish media carried rumours, speculation and mockery, with some questioning whether the knee problem was real.

Injury and medical account

Yamal picked up the knee problem in the match against Atlético, and he went through routine checks in Barcelona. An MRI scan showed inflammation and fluid in the knee, which meant he needed rest. De la Fuente said the medical staff of Spain and Barcelona are in close contact and that sending the player to Spain for treatment made no sense while his fitness for training by Friday was uncertain. The coach said he had spoken to Yamal on Tuesday and again on Wednesday, and that the recovery is going well with exercises at his club. Speaking before the match in Prague, he set out the medical account in these words:

“Lamine got hurt and had discomfort in one knee. He went for the usual treatment and the MRI showed inflammation and fluid.”

Anger at rumours and at journalists

Commentary in Spain and online claimed that the federation had bent to pressure from Barcelona and that the knee problem was an invented pretext to limit injury risk and avoid the so-called 'FIFA virus'. These claims spread as rumour and mockery, and the coach responded to them directly. De la Fuente said that speaking about something without knowing the facts is one of the saddest and most regrettable things in life. He directed his anger at Spanish journalists and said he had shared more than he should have, because it was the only way for people to understand the reality. On the question of special treatment, he said:

“Lamine does not have any privilege. We would have done this for any other player.”

Milestone run against the Czech Republic and England

Spain come into this window with 42 consecutive matches without defeat, which rises to 43 if only official matches are counted, according to La Razón. De la Fuente said the team wants to keep setting milestones and is aiming for a 44th unbeaten match against the Czech Republic, coached by Santi Denia. He described Denia as a friend and said he was pleased by all the good things that happen to him, while stressing that his view does not rest on friendship alone. The Thursday match is meant to consolidate Spain's lead in the group, and the England game on Sunday, 15 November closes the group phase. The dates Spain's sources give for the coming days are set out below.