Spain manager, Luis de la Fuente, is already looking ahead to Spain’s crunch group stage clash with Saudi Arabia on Sunday after being left with deep disappointment from a 0-0 draw against Cabo Verde.
The main focus in Spain’s pre-match press conference was on the health of their 18-year-old sensation, Lamine Yamal, who offered Spain their best spark with a historic World Cup debut on match day one.
The press conference reveal
When asked by reporters on whether Yamal, 18, could handle being given a much greater role with the hope of breaking down a solid Saudi defence, de la Fuente preached extreme caution.
"We have to evaluate the situation with Lamine Yamal for our next match vs Saudi Arabia. "Luis de la Fuente
"So you think he can play around 45 minutes?"
"Surely, something like that."Luis de la Fuente
Managing the wonderkid
Strictening Lamine Yamal to a 45-minute plan makes a huge amount of sense and will provide enormous relief for Barcelona. Hansi Flick will be reliant on their prodigious wonderkid for a tough next season and, if there was ever a need for patience on behalf of their golden generation’s finest ever attacking prospect, it would be on the grandest stage of all with Spain.
The limitation imposed on Yamal at this early stage allows for de la Fuente two effective tactical ploys:
- To attack Saudi Arabia with early pace through his creative spark, before substituting off to protect the 18-year-old,
- Or using Yamal to tear up a tired Saudi defence with an energetic late appearance.
Summing everything up
La Roja simply cannot endure a dull performance for the second game running. However, De la Fuente appears to have struck the perfect balance between clinching all three points and nurturing the brightest attacking prospect the nation has had in decades.
Spain must rely on their talented attacking quartet to get their job done, but they have identified that their secret weapon must be managed with care.
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