Spain manager Luis de la Fuente on Hansi Flick’s Lamine Yamal comments – ‘I thought he had empathy’ | OneFootball

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has hit back at Barcelona counterpart Hansi Flick, following criticism of his handling of Lamine Yamal’s fitness. The 18-year-old is back in the Spain squad after recovering from a groin injury last Sunday.

Flick had told the media that Spain gave Lamine Yamal pain-killing injections in order to have him available against Turkiye and Bulgaria last month, criticising the national team for ‘not taking care of the player‘. De la Fuente had previously responded that he was not interested in commenting further on the matter. Yet following the announcement of his latest Spain squad, de la Fuente expressed his surprise with Flick.

There is no conflict with Hansi Flick,” de la Fuente told Marca.

“He’s been a national team coach and knows how we coaches behave. I thought he empathised with that. I was surprised that a former national team coach would think that way. Nothing more.”

‘We don’t take any risks’ – de la Fuente

The controversy around Lamine Yamal was the central theme of the press conference, and de la Fuente went on to say that there would be no risks taken.

“No. The risk we take is zero. But it’s normal for a footballer or athlete. Whoever comes here is healthy. And if they play, it’s because they’re fit. If they leave, it’s because we believe they can’t play.”

“If he’s playing for his club, he comes here and plays too. These are completely normal situations.”

In his view, the usual process was followed with Lamine Yamal at all times.

“I always tell the truth. My truth, no. They’re normal discomforts. He didn’t mention any. When the game ended, he already reported some more. I’ve never played without any discomfort. Nothing unusual happened. The medical services have explained it.”

Image via Alex Caparros/Getty Images

“It’s not unusual for me to talk to Lamine. We have reports from the clubs. We talk to them. We assess everything. With Lamine we’ll see how he is. We’ll see how he is in Seville. Then we’ll assess whether he needs to be there.”

“My priority is for us to qualify for the World Cup. If we win, we’ll talk about whether we’ll play or not.”

Alvaro Morata left out of Spain squad

The storm around Lamine Yamal somewhat obscured the story that Spain captain Alvaro Morata had been dropped.

“Alvaro Morata’s decision was a technical one. The fact that he’s not in this squad means nothing. He’s an important player for the future, too.”

De la Fuente has instead opted for Samu Aghehowa, Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal through the middle. La Roja face Georgia on the 11th of November at the Martinez Valero in Elche, and then travel to Valladolid to face Bulgaria at the Nuevo Jose Zorrilla.