De la Fuente Dismisses Rift With Flick Over Yamal, Focuses on Spain’s World Cup Qualifiers

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has downplayed suggestions of a fallout with Barcelona manager Hansi Flick following criticism over the handling of teenage winger Lamine Yamal.

Flick had claimed Yamal’s groin injury was aggravated during Spain’s September World Cup qualifiers, comments that De la Fuente said took him by surprise.

“There is no conflict with Flick. I was simply surprised by his comments because he has been a national team coach and I thought he would understand,” De la Fuente said on Friday while unveiling his squad for the upcoming matches against Georgia and Bulgaria.

The coach stressed the priority is Spain’s qualification campaign. “We have two very important games for the World Cup. That is what really matters. The rest is not important,” he added.

Flick had acknowledged that he exchanged text messages with De la Fuente but said communication could improve. Addressing the issue further, the Spain coach clarified: “What happened was that, after the match, Yamal felt some discomfort. But I’ve never played without discomfort myself. Our medical staff have explained it. Nothing more.”

For the upcoming fixtures, Spain will be without Nico Williams and Dani Carvajal, while striker Alvaro Morata has been omitted after a slow start to the season with Como. Williams has not featured since sustaining a groin problem in Athletic Bilbao’s 6-0 win over Turkey, with his club urging careful management of his recovery.

“The risk in football always exists. If he is playing at his club, he is also assuming those risks. These are completely normal situations,” De la Fuente said.

Spain currently lead Group E with six points from two matches. They will host Georgia in Elche on October 11 before facing Bulgaria in Valladolid on October 14.