Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has warned Lamine Yamal to get used to tough therapy on the pitch after the Barcelona winger was focused in his nation’s 1-0 UEFA Nations League win over Denmark on Saturday.
Yamal, 17, was on the top of a number of robust tackles from the Danish aspect and was seen limping again to the staff bus after the sport.
“You must apply the toughness that the foundations permit,” De la Fuente mentioned in a information convention when requested for his ideas on the challenges Yamal suffered in opposition to Denmark.
“There’s a referee there to mark the restrict. Towards younger gamers together with his expertise, [opponents] attempt to intimidate and search for contact.
“The referee has to guard these proficient gamers, however Lamine has to get used to it. I might find it irresistible to be a mattress of roses, Flower Energy, however this sport is like that.
“Lamine displayed an distinctive angle and generated so much for us from the correct flank. He has a particular expertise. From there, I had a teammate who used to say: ‘What would you like, kisses [from the opponents]?’ Groups use the weapons they will inside the guidelines.”
Denmark’s Victor Kristiansen was ultimately booked for a foul on Yamal late within the recreation and the left-back mentioned he wished to let {the teenager} know he was not frightened of taking part in in opposition to him.
“It was not that I believed I’m going to get a yellow card right here, it was merely to say [to him]: ‘Oi, I’m additionally on this battle. I’m not afraid of you,'” the Leicester Metropolis defender informed Ekstra Bladet.
“When you’ve gotten the chance to enter a 50-50 pretty which may damage a bit of, you must go for it. He’s very skilful and really, excellent at such a younger age. He’s going to be probably the greatest gamers for a few years.”
Sources near the Spain nationwide staff performed down the importance of Yamal’s limp forward of Tuesday’s Nations League recreation in opposition to Serbia, although an announcement launched by the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) on Sunday confirmed that he had returned to Barcelona and would not play in that second recreation.
The RFEF assertion mentioned Yamal underwent an MRI scan that detected no “structural” harm and that the discomfort was workload-related.
Barça will be thankful for the choice to prioritise the participant’s well being and keep away from pointless dangers forward of a troublesome run of fixtures after the worldwide break.
The Catalan membership face Sevilla subsequent weekend after which welcome Bayern Munich within the Champions League, earlier than travelling to Actual Madrid for the primary Clásico of the season.
Yamal has up to now began 13 of 14 video games for membership and nation this season, with De la Fuente saying earlier than the victory over Denmark that the emphasis was on the golf equipment to relaxation gamers, not the nationwide staff.
Martín Zubimendi‘s second half volley earned La Roja the three factors in opposition to Denmark in Murcia, transferring Spain to the highest of their Nations League group after three video games with seven factors, yet one more than the Danes.
They return to motion on Tuesday with one other house fixture, this time in opposition to third-placed Serbia in Córdoba. Serbia beat pointless Switzerland on Saturday.
