The overwhelming feeling coming from the Spain camp after their win over an obdurate Czech Republic side was one of sheer relief. Despite their recent success, it was the first time they had won the opening game of a European Championships or World Cup since Euro 2008. Getting three points on the board was vital for the squad's confidence.
However, it was a far from polished performance and did little to dispel pre-tournament fears that they lack the firepower to see teams off.
Turkey face an uphill battle to end a 62-year wait for a victory over Spain, especially given how disappointing they were in their opening defeat against Croatia. Coach Fatih Terim said that his team had "dropped physically" and they will need a significantly better display if they are to avoid going defeat.
They have come in for heavy criticism back home, with star man and captain Arda Turan singled out. The Barcelona player was hauled off after 65 minutes after an ineffectual display and subsequently went on Turkish television to apologise and ask for "forgiveness".
TEAM NEWS
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque may decide to change things in his forward line after Alvaro Morata missed several chances against the Czech Republic.
Aritz Aduriz, who impressed off the bench, could come in and midfielder Thiago Alcantara is also pushing for a start.
Turkey coach Fatih Terim had two absentees in training this week.
Midfielder Mehmet Topal has an injury to his right leg and defender Gokhan Gonul has a stomach problem.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Turkey have only registered one win in 10 games against Spain (D4, L5) - a 1-0 victory in a World Cup qualifier in Istanbul back in March 1954.
- Turkey qualified for the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland by the drawing of lots after their play-off tie against Spain in Rome ended 2-2.
- Spain have conceded only one goal in their last six matches against Turkey, however that goal did come in their last meeting in 2009.
- This will be the first time that they have met in the finals of a major tournament.
Spain
- Spain are unbeaten in their last 13 games at the European Championship finals (W10 D3), the longest run in the history of the competition. Their last defeat in the tournament was 1-0 against Portugal in June 2004.
- Spain have only conceded one goal in their last 10 games in the tournament, which was scored by Italy's Antonio Di Natale on 10 June 2012 , in a 1-1 draw.
- In their opening match against Czech Republic, Andres Iniesta contributed his fourth assist at a Euros, the joint-most for Spain alongside Cesc Fabregas and David Silva.
- David de Gea hasn't conceded a goal in four competitive games with Spain.
Turkey
- Turkey have won only three of their 13 games at the European Championship finals (D2, L8).
- They've also only kept two clean sheets in those 13 games.
- Turkey have improved on their position each time they have qualified for the European Championships; they were knocked out in the group stages in 1996 before reaching the quarter-finals in 2000 and the semis in 2008.
- Only one of Turkey's 11 goals at the Euros finals has been scored before the 45th minute.
- Turkey striker Cenk Tosun didn't have a shot or set up an attempt in his 69 minutes against Croatia. He completed only two passes in the opposition half.
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.
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