Czechia head coach Santi Denia admits he was disappointed to learn that Lamine Yamal will miss their meeting with Spain on Thursday, not least for fans who have bought tickets.

Denia will go up against the country of his birth in the Nations League, having previously coached Spain's under-18, under-21 and under-23 sides.

There is little riding on the game, given Czechia have lost their first four matches in Group A3 and cannot reach the quarter-finals, while La Roja's progression is already guaranteed.

And those in attendance at Slavia Prague's epet ARENA will not see Yamal, who is sidelined with a minor knee injury he sustained during Barcelona's victory over Atletico Madrid at the weekend. 

Yamal's Barca team-mates Rodri and Dani Olmo are also out, and Denia would rather be going up against the world champions at full strength.

"We wanted Lamine to be there, but we don't control that. People pay for tickets to see Lamine," he said in an interview with Cadena Ser.

"We'll see what team Spain field and what team we can field. We have no injuries, and that's what's important."

In the 2026-27 edition of the Nations League, Yamal has scored four goals and supplied one assist in four outings – England captain and Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane is the only player to outscore him, with six goals. 

Beautiful city. Beautiful kit.  Spain will be wearing white in Prague. 🇪🇸 #VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague https://t.co/ioEzKIkNDS

— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) November 11, 2026

But Denia knows Spain have plenty of quality players waiting in the wings, adding: "Should I tell you the substitutes? That's why Spain are the best. 

"It's a shame those players are not here, because people want to see them, but we're going to try to win the game and do things right. 

"It doesn't change anything for us. Spain's structure is the same. To defend against Lamine, you need help, but you always have to do it as a team. 

"You must defend and attack as a team. We don't ask the players to go into individual duels."

Spain have gone unbeaten in their last 42 matches since losing to Colombia in a friendly in March 2024, and they won the reverse fixture between the sides 3-1 last month.