At a press conference on Friday, De la Fuente stated that although Laporte was in condition to play against Croatia, he would not be selected for the game.
“Aymeric Laporte is not injured; he had some minor issues, and I’ve decided not to risk him, so he will not play tomorrow,” the coach informed the media.
READ | Spain’s all-time head-to-head record against Croatia before their Euro 2024 Group B match
Spain, the champions of 2008 and 2012, made it to the last 16 in 2016 and lost to Italy in the semifinals of the previous Euros on penalties. Facing Croatia, Spain anticipates a challenging start to the tournament.
“Tomorrow’s match is against a formidable team; it’s not going to be easy. The tournament is highly competitive, featuring some of the world’s best players. We need to perform at a very high level and get everything right,” De la Fuente remarked.
While he kept his starting lineup confidential, the coach expressed great admiration for his young wingers, Lamine Yamal, 16, and Nico Williams, 21, especially praising Yamal’s exceptional talent.
“He’s a young player with extraordinary talent, almost a divine gift. His game understanding is rare among players,” he continued.
Midfielder Rodri highlighted the significance of a strong start in Group B, where they will also compete against the European champions Italy and Albania.
