De la Fuente tells Tuchel: ‘There is no racism in Spain’ as Yamal declared fit for England

Luis de la Fuente says Spain will not settle for a draw against England on Sunday and has told Thomas Tuchel that “there is no racism in Spain” ahead of the Nations League meeting.

The result will decide which team finishes top of the group and therefore hosts the second leg of the Nations League quarter-final in March.

“We will not go into the match looking for a draw,” Spain manager De la Fuente said. “We have won 12 matches in a row and want the next victory to be number 13. We are thinking only about winning, and you know how much I like the number 13.”

De la Fuente said Spain had created “a special era” and remained the team with the longest unbeaten run in world football.

“But we are not satisfied with what we have achieved,” he added. “We have a constant obsession that our next match must feel like our last. There is still a huge margin for improvement.”

He said all of his players were in perfect condition to play on Sunday and train the following day, with the exception of Alejandro Grimaldo, who has a viral illness and will not take part in training.

Five players must be left out of the matchday squad, with Spain having 28 players available but only 23 places permitted.

“It is a matter of sporting calculations,” said De la Fuente. “Everyone understands that in advance. We treat it as something completely normal. The most uncomfortable part is telling them tonight, but they deal with it naturally and understand it with complete respect.”

Yamal available for selection

De la Fuente also addressed the fitness of Lamine Yamal after previously expressing frustration over the information he had received.

“I was not angry,” he said. “I said what bothers me is not telling the truth. I do not like lies or a lack of credibility and truth.”

Yamal has recovered fully and is available to play, while he and Mikel Oyarzabal received a warm welcome on their arrival on Saturday.

“He is in fantastic condition,” De la Fuente said. “It is a process we will repeat again if necessary. He has recovered perfectly.

“We will see whether Yamal starts the match,” he added with a laugh. “But if he does start, it means he is ready to play. He is in absolutely perfect condition.”

The Barcelona player benefited from not having to make two journeys and from avoiding the cold weather, according to De la Fuente.

“He is ready to play without any problem at all,” he said.

On the match itself, De la Fuente described the meeting as one of the best in world football, while recognising that the teams have contrasting approaches.

“We cannot play the way England play, and England cannot play the way we play in Spain,” he said.

He added that opponents now face Spain with greater motivation, saying beating the world champions was the best way to prove a team could become a major force.

De la Fuente said there was little to separate England, France and Portugal, with any of them capable of winning against another leading nation.

Regarding Tuchel’s warning about using an anti-racism protocol, De la Fuente said: “You can tell Tuchel there is no racism in Spain. We are not racist, exactly as is the case in England.”

He also said Spain’s players were undervalued in comparison with those in England, and questioned whether teams with major players but no titles were on the right path.

On Fermin Lopez, who has yet to score for Spain, De la Fuente said he hoped the midfielder would find the net, but praised his ability to provide attacking depth, reach the penalty area and offer different solutions.