TBILISI: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente insisted he has “blind confidence” in Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal without revealing if he would make history by playing Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia.
The 16-year-old would become Spain’s youngest ever player if he features against either Georgia or Cyprus next Tuesday.
But De la Fuenta did not reveal whether the youngster would play as Spain bid to get their European qualifying campaign back on track.
“Lamine appeared very good to me watching him on television, but working with him you realize even more his potential. He seems even better,” De la Fuente told a press conference on Thursday.
“Currently, he’s a very important player for us, he’s here on his own merit. I have total confidence in him. I think he’s a great player.”
Spain are aiming to correct a poor start to their qualifying campaign, but their preparations have been overshadowed by the controversy of suspended federation president Luis Rubiales’ unsolicited kiss of women’s team midfielder Jenni Hermoso.
“Since the beginning of the training camp, I have only been thinking about football and Georgia, because I believe that we have the possibility of putting qualification on the right track. We are focusing exclusively on the match tomorrow,” said De la Fuente.
La Roja are fourth in the Group A, nine points behind leaders Scotland, who beat them in Glasgow, although De la Fuente’s side have played two fewer matches.
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Spain coach has ‘blind confidence’ in Barca teen Yamal
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Spain coach has ‘blind confidence’ in Barca teen Yamal
- The 16-year-old would become Spain’s youngest ever player if he features against either Georgia or Cyprus next Tuesday
- “Lamine appeared very good to me watching him on television, but working with him you realize even more his potential,” De la Fuente told a press conference
Title-chasing Man City beat Palace 3-0, Villa edge five-goal thriller
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Villa comeback win at West Ham keeps them in title race
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Forest beat Spurs to move five points clear of danger zone
MANCHESTER: Manchester City maintained their squeeze on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday, a result that keeps Pep Guardiola’s side lurking two points behind the leaders and ready to pounce.
Aston Villa came from behind to win 3-2 at West Ham United to remain in the thick of the title race, while Nottingham Forest trounced error-prone visitors Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 for their fourth win in six league games.
At Selhurst Park, Erling Haaland scored twice and Phil Foden added another as second-placed City, who have 34 points, stayed in touch with Arsenal, who needed two own goals in a nervy 2-1 win over rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Haaland met Matheus Nunes’ cross with a thundering header after 41 minutes and Foden doubled the lead when he fired past Henderson from the edge of the box in the 69th.
Haaland sealed the victory from the penalty spot late on after goalkeeper Dean Henderson fouled Savinho.
“Erling is a forward to score the goals but in the second half he keeps the ball,” Guardiola told Sky Sports. “He was able to contain situations. He helped us be together. In the second half he was outstanding.”
Palace are fifth on 26 points.
ROGERS DOUBLE LIFTS VILLA TO VICTORY
At London Stadium, Morgan Rogers struck twice to put Aston Villa on 33 points in third spot. West Ham’s sixth home defeat of the season left them third from bottom with 13 points.
Villa conceded after 29 seconds as Mateus Fernandes punished a mistake by Ezri Konsa and the away side trailed 2-1 at the interval before Rogers took matters into his own hands.
He drilled home an equalizer five minutes after the break and then smashed a dipping drive past keeper Alphonse Areola late on to seal the points.
Villa had canceled out West Ham’s early opener in the 10th minute with defender Konstantinos Mavropanos credited with an own goal but Jarrod Bowen put the hosts back in front.
“We needed to keep calm and be consistent and demanding in our game plan,” Villa boss Unai Emery told the BBC.
“I like how the players are responding, how they are getting the challenges we are sending in the dressing room but now everything is done and we go again.”
At the City Ground, Callum Hudson-Odoi bagged a double and Ibrahim Sangare added a late goal to lift Forest five points clear of the danger zone in 16th. Spurs are 11th on 22 points.
“The players are looking fitter, sharper and I know we have quality here, it was on show today,” Forest boss Sean Dyche told Sky. “It’s often about building the basics. The players are doing it brilliantly. We’re building that squad mentality.” (Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Villa comeback win at West Ham keeps them in title race
*
Forest beat Spurs to move five points clear of danger zone
MANCHESTER: Manchester City maintained their squeeze on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday, a result that keeps Pep Guardiola’s side lurking two points behind the leaders and ready to pounce.
Aston Villa came from behind to win 3-2 at West Ham United to remain in the thick of the title race, while Nottingham Forest trounced error-prone visitors Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 for their fourth win in six league games.
At Selhurst Park, Erling Haaland scored twice and Phil Foden added another as second-placed City, who have 34 points, stayed in touch with Arsenal, who needed two own goals in a nervy 2-1 win over rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Haaland met Matheus Nunes’ cross with a thundering header after 41 minutes and Foden doubled the lead when he fired past Henderson from the edge of the box in the 69th.
Haaland sealed the victory from the penalty spot late on after goalkeeper Dean Henderson fouled Savinho.
“Erling is a forward to score the goals but in the second half he keeps the ball,” Guardiola told Sky Sports. “He was able to contain situations. He helped us be together. In the second half he was outstanding.”
Palace are fifth on 26 points.
ROGERS DOUBLE LIFTS VILLA TO VICTORY
At London Stadium, Morgan Rogers struck twice to put Aston Villa on 33 points in third spot. West Ham’s sixth home defeat of the season left them third from bottom with 13 points.
Villa conceded after 29 seconds as Mateus Fernandes punished a mistake by Ezri Konsa and the away side trailed 2-1 at the interval before Rogers took matters into his own hands.
He drilled home an equalizer five minutes after the break and then smashed a dipping drive past keeper Alphonse Areola late on to seal the points.
Villa had canceled out West Ham’s early opener in the 10th minute with defender Konstantinos Mavropanos credited with an own goal but Jarrod Bowen put the hosts back in front.
“We needed to keep calm and be consistent and demanding in our game plan,” Villa boss Unai Emery told the BBC.
“I like how the players are responding, how they are getting the challenges we are sending in the dressing room but now everything is done and we go again.”
At the City Ground, Callum Hudson-Odoi bagged a double and Ibrahim Sangare added a late goal to lift Forest five points clear of the danger zone in 16th. Spurs are 11th on 22 points.
“The players are looking fitter, sharper and I know we have quality here, it was on show today,” Forest boss Sean Dyche told Sky. “It’s often about building the basics. The players are doing it brilliantly. We’re building that squad mentality.” (Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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