Lamine Yamal issues sharp response to claims of Spain being “small and inexperienced”, Toni Kroos also hits out

Earlier this week, former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann caused a stir with his remarks about Luis de la Fuente’s Spain side, ahead of Friday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final showdown between the two sides.

Lehmann claimed that La Roja are “small and inexperienced”, as per El Desmarque.

“It is a small and inexperienced team, they are all very small in height and with very little experience in these games. They are a youth team, in the sense that they have very young strikers, from the goalkeeper to the centre-back, with Morata up front. They are a very small team in terms of height.”

Lamine Yamal was asked about the comments on Wednesday, and his response was sharp, to say the least.

“Well, we’ve already said that all these things help us to come out more motivated. In the end, what is he going to say? He is German, he is going to want to help his national team but, well, it will be seen on the pitch that we will show whether we are small and inexperienced.”

Toni Kroos also addressed Lehmann’s remarks during his press conference, and he also took a strong stance as he issued a defence of Germany’s opposition on Friday evening, as per MD.

“Lehmann does not represent us. He always has a different opinion than others. They have shown that they have players with experience: Morata, Rodri, Nacho, Carvajal… It’s not true what he says, we expect a very top Spain team. They play very well, but so do we. I am looking forward to a beautiful game.”