Spain manager Luis de la Fuente confirmed his squad is eager to bounce back after a frustrating 0-0 draw against Cape Verde in their World Cup opener, with young star Lamine Yamal fully fit to feature in their next match against Saudi Arabia.
The 18-year-old sensation, Lamine Yamal, who recently returned from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two months and ended his club season with Barcelona in mid-April, was limited to the final 20 minutes of the game. De la Fuente assured reporters that Yamal is ready to play a more significant role, stating, "Lamine is fine. He’ll play as much as we deem appropriate. The most important thing is that he’s back. He’s eager to do something significant." He also indicated that changes to the starting lineup are likely, aiming to introduce a different dynamic to the team.
Despite the disappointing result, De la Fuente emphasized a calm approach, explaining that while improvements are needed, the performance wasn't a complete disaster. "They’re hurting... They’re really hurting, and you’ll see them with a different attitude," he remarked about his players' motivation. He stressed that the team has a strong competitive spirit and is accustomed to pressure, adding, "We have to win tomorrow, that’s all."
De la Fuente himself expressed no added pressure, feeling "Responsible, motivated, excited, and eager to compete tomorrow," with a clear game plan in place. He also highlighted the unpredictable nature of international tournaments, noting that other favored teams, like Portugal, also faced difficulties in the opening round. "In such a short competition... One mistake on a bad day knocks you out. That’s what makes this competition, in a way, unfair," he observed, warning against underestimating any opponent.
The prevailing sentiment within the Spanish camp is a mix of frustration with their performance and a desire to reshape the media narrative following the Cape Verde match. Spain is set to face Saudi Arabia at 17:00 BST in Atlanta.
