De la Fuente keeps a close eye on Lamine Yamal's minutes despite four goals in three games

Four goals in three games. That is the calling card Lamine Yamal has presented during this international break, and the number already has Luis de la Fuente concerned, in a good way. Not about the Barcelona academy product's performance, which speaks for itself, but about something far more grounded: how many more minutes he can log before his body starts to feel it.

Spain arrives atop its Nations League group with a perfect record, and much of that run carries Yamal's signature. He scored against England, he scored against Croatia, and he also scored against Czechia, always with that knack for showing up at exactly the right moment: he found the net within the first two minutes against both England and Croatia, and before the six minute mark against the Czechs.

The 19 year old from Mataro has now racked up 11 starts this season between club and country, a pace that is starting to set off alarm bells within the Spanish coaching staff. De la Fuente made that clear at the press conference he held this Monday in Split, ahead of Tuesday's match against Croatia.

I already mentioned how demanding this series of four games would be. One important point I'd like to highlight is that nobody is going to play more than 270 minutes, which would be the equivalent of three of the four matches. Lamine has played the equivalent of two of three matches in terms of minutes.Luis de la Fuente

The numbers back up that careful management. Yamal played the full 90 minutes in the 3-2 win over England at Wembley, then was subbed off at the 68 minute mark against Croatia last week, and on Saturday, in the 3-1 victory over Czechia in Oviedo, he did not even come out for the second half.

Does that mean there are doubts about his physical condition heading into Tuesday's match? Not at all, according to the coach himself, who was blunt in describing the young forward's current state.

Lamine is always ready to play. Everyone wants to play. After that, we assess whether or not it's the right call. He's in a fantastic moment, he's a key player and a competitor. He's in great shape to play tomorrow, just like the rest of his teammates.Luis de la Fuente

De la Fuente went even further when discussing the urgency the player brings to every play, something he views as part of his character rather than a problem.

Lamine has that eagerness, and I don't mean it in a negative sense, because he always wants to do more... That's just Lamine. That's his competitive nature.Luis de la Fuente

The situation at Barcelona doesn't exactly make it easy to ease off the gas either: a packed month lies ahead that will close out with the Clasico against Real Madrid on October 25, while another of the club's players, Raphinha, already had an injury scare with Brazil during this same break.

Waiting on the other side will be a bruised Croatia. The Croatians were thrashed 7-0 by England on Saturday, a result that left deeper emotional wounds than tactical ones, as their captain acknowledged.

The problem wasn't losing, it was how we lost. We're not proud of what happened. I hope the fans' reaction is a positive one, that it helps lift us up, that they judge us after this match. We need them. What happened the other day hurts us more than anyone.Luka Modric

Against that backdrop comes Tuesday's match: a Spain managing its prized talent so he keeps shining, and a Croatia that needs to respond quickly to avoid sinking further in the group.