Spain coach De la Fuente embraces pressure as World Cup frontrunners

He commended the hometown talent Lamine Yamal but avoided confirming if the young star would feature from the start in Tuesdays match versus the African side, who are also competing in the tournament.

Top of the FIFA standings, Spain secured a 3-0 victory over Serbia last Friday during the initial friendly of this March international break.

I love it. We welcome that challenge, De la Fuente commented regarding the burden of top billing.

It mirrors the situation for sides such as France, England, and Brazil.

When questioned on Yamal, De la Fuente described him as enchanting and enjoying one of the finest phases in his early professional life, yet he sidestepped speculation on the Barcelona prodigys starting position.

Hes enjoying a fantastic period, quick, tough, and delivering moments of genius, the manager noted. I get why Barcelona supporters are concerned for him. Its my duty to select the strongest possible eleven, the most effective squad.

Hes advanced beyond his level from two years back, though still some way from where hell be in two years time. His impact increases daily. He attracts defenders, he possesses that spark.

Spains next outing is a single friendly in Puebla, Mexico, facing Peru on June 8th, prior to their World Cup opener against Cape Verde on the 15th in Atlanta, United States.

De la Fuente touched on absent key players too, including Nico Williams, Fabian Ruiz, and Mikel Merino, vital parts of their Euro 2024 triumph squad, sidelined by injuries.

Im not downbeat, but obstacles arise. We have dealt with Merinos problem, Fabians, and Nicos, he explained.

I reckon Nico is back in sessions already. Mikels issue is more prolonged. I expect both to recover in time, but we will monitor their healing, especially since Mikels condition is harder to forecast.