Spain forward Lamine Yamal said that he’s “ready” to play against Saudi Arabia on Sunday but also acknowledged that now “isn’t the moment to play a full game.”
Barcelona star Yamal was only able to come on the pitch for La Roja in the 71st minute in their shock, World Cup-opening goalless draw with Cape Verde, following his recent recovery from a hamstring injury.
In an interview with Spanish television on Friday, Yamal said: “I feel really good. I’m excited above all, I’ve been off the field for a long time. I’m looking forward to Sunday. I feel good physically, I’m ready for whatever the boss wants. I know that doesn’t mean I’m going to play, but I’m ready.
“It’s very early, it’s unnecessary [to play 90 minutes], I have a process of adaptation, it isn’t the moment to play a full game but I’ll play the minutes the boss wants.”
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Yamal’s Spain and Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsi backed Spain’s squad to be able to cope if Yamal is again unavailable from the start.
“I think we have a spectacular, magnificent squad,” he said at a news conference Friday. “All the players can perform at the highest level. We all know how good Lamine is, so if he can get in, he will help us a lot. But I think those who can make up for it will do it just as well or better.”
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said after the stalemate with Cape Verde that Spain were hampered by only being able to play Yamal for 30 minutes.
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“As soon as Lamine came on, he changed how [Cape Verde] were playing,” De la Fuente said afterward. “It was the amount of time we thought he could play. We’re sure in the next game the team will do better.”
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In the Cape Verde clash, Spain generated an impressive xG of 2.29 and had 27 shots but seven saves by goalkeeper Vozinha — who has since become a breakout star of this World Cup — denied them a goal.
It means the pressure is on for Spain to take all three points against Saudi Arabia.
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“I think we have to take a step forward, as we have been doing in the last few years,” Cubarsi said. “We have to give our all, because it’s like a final. I think the whole team knows the importance of this match.
“I think we’re going to give it our all, as we have always done. We will try to win and give our all.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
