Lamine Yamal's absence spoils the mission in the Nations League

Lamine Yamal, a key player for the Spanish national team, will not travel to the Czech Republic this Thursday; the team will arrive in Prague from 20:45 hours with the aim of securing another victory in the Nations League that will cement its group leadership, according to journalist Rodrigo Jiménez of EFE and José Luis Artús.

Opposite Spain will be the rival coach Santi Denia, who knows the ins and outs of La Roja well.

Denia, 52, spent much of his professional career in the national team's youth categories. He coached the Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 sides, and he is from Albacete.

Denia noted that the Spanish squad is missing players such as Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo and Rodri, and that Lamine Yamal's absence is especially significant. These absences, he said, could affect the performance of the Spanish team.

"Should I name the substitutes? That's why Spain is the best. It's a shame they're not there because people want to see them," he said, adding that "Lamine not being there is not good news. We wanted him to be, but we couldn't control it. People pay for a ticket to see Lamine".

Denia stated that they will see which eleven Spain fields and which will be ours, and emphasized that they have no injuries, which he considers important. This full availability allows them to maintain their usual formation.

Rest imposed on Lamine Yamal before the Nations League, La Roja reacts

Denia added that Spain's absences do not alter their plan, as the opponent's structure remains the same. To neutralize Yamal, he said, collective support is needed rather than individual duels.

The vision of Joan Garcia

Joan Garcia said: "The strength of our team is to keep the ball".

Ferran Martínez De la Fuente commented on Yamal's annoyance: "It wasn't worth taking any risk".

In EFE's words, "I consider them as sons".

de la Fuente backs Lamine Yamal, slams rumours before Prague clash

During the press conference he praised Fermín: "I'm not objective with them. I consider these players as sons. I'm happy for how he is. He is living a great moment".

Regarding whether knowing the Spanish side gives an advantage, he said: "No. It's not. It's the second time. It had never happened to me. You know everyone, it makes you happy to see them, but when the match starts you forget everything".

To win, Denia believes "you have to play the perfect match. Set pieces, the defensive phase, the pressing phase, the low block... Our job is to make the players believe it can be done".