Winger was injured and missed four games after the last international break
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has said there were “zero risks” taken with Lamine Yamal during the last international window.
Yamal returned from that break with a groin injury that kept him out for four games, with Barcelona manager Hansi Flick criticising Spain for “not taking care of young players”.
Flick accused Spain of mismanaging the teenager by allowing him to play through discomfort with the help of painkillers.
Yamal returned to the pitch last week and has played two games for Barcelona before being called up to the Spain squad again for the October international window.
De la Fuente rejected suggestions he had taken risks with the forward’s fitness in September.
“Here, we take zero risks,” said De la Fuente. “Whoever comes in, comes in healthy, fit to play. And when they go back home, it is because we have judged there was a risk in staying with us.”
Last week he also dismissed Flick’s criticism, saying he “didn’t remember” and it was “of no interest” to him.
Asked about it on Friday, he dismissed talk of tensions between him and the Barcelona head coach.
“There is no conflict with Hansi, not at all,” said De la Fuente. “I was just surprised with the comments he made because he’s been a national team coach.
“I thought he would have some empathy in that sense towards the role. That’s the only thing, just that I was surprised he had that opinion given he was German coach.”
However, De la Fuente showed clear signs of annoyance and attacked journalists when asked about his and his coaching staff’s handling of Yamal.
“Have you played football?” he asked. “Then I don’t get the question. There’s always risk in football and sport. Always.
“Are they playing in their clubs? If they’re playing with their clubs, they’re taking risks, right? It’s exactly the same with their clubs. They’re completely normal situations.
“When you [the journalist] finish studying medicine we can speak about this again.”
