Lamine Yamal Ready To Play But Not Yet Full 90 Minutes

From Realgm

Spain forward Lamine Yamal said he feels prepared to face Saudi Arabia on Sunday but cautioned that he is not yet ready to play a full 90 minutes following his recovery from a hamstring injury. The Barcelona star entered Friday's interview with Spanish television after managing just 30 minutes off the bench in Spain's scoreless World Cup opener against Cape Verde. "I feel really good. I'm excited above all, I've been off the field for a long time," said Yamal. "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." Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said his side's inability to use Yamal beyond 30 minutes against Cape Verde limited their attack. "As soon as Lamine came on, he changed how they were playing," said De la Fuente. "It was the amount of time we thought he could play. We're sure in the next game the team will do better." Teammate Pau Cubarsi expressed confidence in Spain's depth regardless of Yamal's role. "I think we have a spectacular, magnificent squad," said Cubarsi. "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 generated 2.29 expected goals and produced 27 shots in the Cape Verde draw, but goalkeeper Vozinha turned away seven attempts to preserve the stalemate. The result puts added pressure on Spain to secure three points against Saudi Arabia. "I think we have to take a step forward, as we have been doing in the last few years," said Cubarsi. "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."