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Preview: Spain v Turkey

Holders Spain will be certain of a round of 16 place with a second Group D victory against Turkey, who are looking to end a 52-year winless run against their opponents.

Vicente del Bosque was full of respect for Turkey ahead of Friday's game
Vicente del Bosque was full of respect for Turkey ahead of Friday's game ©Getty Images
  • Spain hope to maintain a 52-year unbeaten run against Turkey in Group D
  • The holders opened Group D with a 1-0 win against Czech Republic; Turkey lost to Croatia
  • Spain have four victories and Turkey one in seven competitive meetings, with two draws
  • Turkey's lone triumph was a 1-0 success in 1954 World Cup qualifying
  • Also in Group D: Czech Republic v Croatia (18.00 Friday, St-Etienne)

Possible line-ups
Spain:
De Gea; Juanfran, Piqué, Ramos, Alba; Busquets; Silva, Fàbregas, Iniesta, Nolito; Morata.

Turkey: Volkan Babacan; Gökhan Gönül, Semih Kaya, Hakan Balta, Caner Erkin; Mehmet Topal, Selçuk İnan, Oğuzhan Özyakup; Volkan Şen, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Arda Turan.
Yellow card away from suspension: Hakan Balta, Volkan Şen, Cenk Tosun

Coach quotes
Vicente del Bosque, Spain
The important thing is that we got the three points in the first game, and we need to prepare for this game without being distracted by the first one. We also have to approach this game expecting Turkey to make it really difficult for us. They are a great team who play great football – they have great players and we have to prepare ourselves for the difficulties they will pose us.

I don't think they will be the kind of team to sit back and not take the initiative, they will be after possession, they have bold players, they have brave players. I know the Turkish style of play very well, I don't think they'll give in easily, they'll give a good account of themselves in the face of whatever we throw at them. I'm sure they'll try to make it very difficult for us.

Arda Turan keyed up for Spain

Fatih Terim, Turkey
I have never been the kind of coach to tell my players to sit back and try to clear as many balls as possible. You can't just go and play Spain without trying to actually play. If you just try to defend and close the game down, they will eventually open it up. We will try to play our own game.

In the first match we were more like a club side than a national team. It upset us all. There was no reaction after conceding and that isn't good. We will look more like the Turkish team we really are against Spain. Rest assured, it will be different.

UEFA.com team reporters
Graham Hunter, Spain (@BumperGraham)
Though Spain have been on the front foot all week and full of positive energy, Juanfran summed up the underlying mood when he said: "We mustn't get carried away by Monday's euphoria." The last time Spain didn't win this tournament was 2004 when they also started with a victory but then drew and lost to exit in Portugal. There should be huge attention to detail from the Spaniards, ensuring they take advantage of having three points already on the board and no goals conceded by giving another muscular champions' display. They haven't lost to Turkey since March 1954; this wouldn't be the moment for a repeat. 

Cetin Cem Yilmaz, Turkey (@UEFAcomCetinCY)
Turkey, like everyone else, are well aware that Spain like to have the ball and boast some of the best passers in the world. Terim's men must be ready to run their legs off to exploit any counterattacks and must be clinical with the chances they create if they still want to be in contention. Getting a result will certainly be difficult, but rest assured Turkey will not lack motivation after their indifferent showing against Croatia.

Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Spain: WLWWDDWWWW
Turkey: LWWLWWDWWW

Did you know?
Turkey qualified for the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland with a drawing of lots after their play-off tie with Spain in Rome ended 2-2. Find out more in our extensive match background.

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