Lamine Yamal is likely to be rested in Spain’s game against Croatia, after coach Luis de la Fuente said the team plan to limit every player to a maximum of 270 minutes across their four games.
Yamal has been one of Spain’s most outstanding players over the past two weeks, but the manager has confirmed that maintaining the squad’s fitness takes priority.
The Barcelona teenager has already played 158 minutes across Spain’s first three matches and is available for Tuesday’s game in Split.
“No one will play more than 270 minutes, which would be three games out of the four,” De la Fuente said.
It means Yamal cannot play all four matches in full. He completed Spain’s 3-2 win against England at Wembley, played 68 minutes in the victory over Croatia last week and was taken off at half-time during Saturday’s 3-1 win against Czechia.
De la Fuente said Yamal remains fit and eager to play, leaving the decision over his involvement against Croatia to the coaching staff.
“He’s in fantastic form, he’s a key figure and he’s a competitor,” De la Fuente said. “He’s in great shape to play tomorrow, just like the rest of his teammates.”
Yamal has scored in all three of Spain’s matches during the break, finding the net within the first six minutes on each occasion. His goals against England, Croatia and Czechia have helped Spain maintain a perfect start to their Nations League campaign.
The forward has also already accumulated 11 starts for club and country this season. His workload is particularly relevant for Barcelona, who face a busy period after the international break and a clásico against Real Madrid on 25 October.
Barcelona’s coaching staff and fans have also been critical of Spain’s management of the player’s minutes in the past, and will therefore be happy to hear that he is rested. De la Fuente said the player would be more than happy to play though.
“Lamine has that anxiety, and I don’t mean that in a negative sense, because he always wants to do more,” the coach said. “That’s Lamine for you. That’s his competitive nature.”
