Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente says his squad is fully prepared for Thursday’s World Cup Round of 32 clash against Austria, with Lamine Yamal, Yeremy Pino and Victor Munoz all available for selection.
Despite progressing to the knockout stage, Spain have yet to consistently hit top form. A group-stage draw with Cape Verde and a narrow victory over Uruguay raised questions, although their emphatic 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia showcased the quality many expect from the tournament favourites.
De la Fuente believes his side has made significant progress during the week and expects an improved performance in the knockout stages.
“What I have seen this week is that the team is beginning to recognise the areas we need to improve,” the Spain coach said.
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has had his minutes carefully managed throughout the tournament following the hamstring injury he suffered in April. However, De la Fuente confirmed the teenage forward is now ready to play for as long as the team requires.
Yeremy Pino has also recovered from a left shoulder sprain, while Victor Munoz has returned to full fitness after overcoming a muscle injury, giving Spain a full-strength squad ahead of the crucial encounter.
Despite the weight of expectation surrounding La Roja, De la Fuente insisted his players are embracing the pressure rather than being burdened by it. Spain have struggled to replicate their 2010 World Cup triumph in recent tournaments, but the coach believes high expectations are a privilege.
“I love that people expect so much from us because it shows the confidence they have in this team,” he said. “Our job is to live up to those expectations.”
Spain trained in a relaxed atmosphere on Wednesday, with Yamal seen laughing and joking with his teammates as preparations continued.
While De la Fuente confirmed he has already decided on his starting lineup, he declined to reveal any details ahead of the Round of 32 showdown.
