Spain head coach Vincente del Bosque has revealed that patience could be the key to defeating Slovakia when the two nations clash on Saturday evening.
Del Bosque's side lost the reverse Euro 2016 Group C qualification match last year, when Miroslav Stoch and Juraj Kucka both scored to give Slovakia a shock 2-1 victory.
The 64-year-old played Diego Costa as the lone striker in that game but has revealed that he does not think overloading the squad with attackers will help break down Spain's opponents.
"It's true, we are expecting a team who will play with six men always behind the ball, which will make it tough for us to find space," Del Bosque told reporters.
"This is what we have to be prepared for. I think it will be better for us. I hope it is this way and we dominate the game, that we control possession, that we have sufficient patience, and the ability to overcome them. We are preparing for this, and I hope we can resolve this problem.
"On the question of the centre-forward, I don't think it is an issue whether we play with one or two, it isn't important. For example, we played against Luxembourg with two and we did well, Alcacer and Diego Costa played well. If we play with one tomorrow we have a possibility, and with the people up front, to cause them problems."
La Roja are second in Group C, three points behind Saturday's opponents Slovakia who are in first place and remain the only unbeaten side in the group.
Sam McEvoy
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