Lamine Yamal right winger of Barcelona and Spain celebrates the second goal of his team during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Sevilla FC and FC Barcelona at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on September 19, 2026 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Gill Clark Gill Clark is the site manager of Barca Blaugranes and joined in 2017. She has worked in sports media as a writer and editor for the best part of two decades and has been in love with the beautiful game for as long as she can remember.
Czechia boss Santi Denia is set for a reunion with Spain on Saturday night in the Nations League and also faces the prospect of coming up against Lamine Yamal.
Sani Denia worked with the Spanish youth teams for many years before taking up his post as Czechia boss and admits he’s been having sleepless nights as he prepares to face the world champions.
”It’s strange, it’s the first time I’ve faced Spain. I’m not sleeping much because they’re so good,” he told Cadena SER.
“The team has all the qualities, they have solutions for everything. We’re going to try to play our game and try to win, but they’re world champions for a reason. They play as a team, they’ve been together for many years and they know each other well.”
The Czechia boss was also asked about Yamal and if he thinks the Barcelona teenager is the best player on the planet.
“I think he’s the Ballon d’Or winner, without a doubt,” he added.
“It doesn’t matter that he’s 19; he’s a game-changer, a World Cup winner. People go to the stadium to see Lamine. People pay for tickets to see him.”
Spain head into the match after wins over England and Croatia during the international break, while Czechia have suffered defeats to the same opponents.