Spain boss Luis de la Fuente sends warning to Scotland ahead of Group A clash

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has warned Scotland that La Roja will be much improved in Thursday's contest from the team that lost 2-0 in Glasgow back in March.

Scott McTominay netted a brace as Scotland beat Spain in their Euro 2024 qualifier at Hampden Park, and the two nations are now preparing to lock horns in the reverse fixture.

La Roja have won each of their four matches since that clash, but Scotland are currently at the top of Group A, boasting 15 points from five matches.

Spain are second on nine points from four games, demonstrating the importance of picking up a win on Thursday, and a success would leave them one victory away from securing qualification for next summer's European Championship.

De la Fuente has said that his side's improvement since the clash in Glasgow is "obvious", but the head coach has insisted that Spain are not on "a revenge mission".

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"We have to win these two games. We've known this since September. Scotland is crucial, beat them and it opens up our qualification. The team is training well and making us feel secure. We have fantastic talent," De la Fuente told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

"We took a lot from the game in Glasgow. We're stronger than we were then, we're playing better. We have to win. We have to show that we've improved.

"Then we win the next and the next – but it all starts here, we have to do the job here. All our players are available, there are a few little knocks, but we'll see how they all are at the last minute. We have improved a lot. It's obvious.

"Look at the statistics to see how we've improved. We're better in attack, in teamwork, in so many areas. Our wingers can do outside, some inside, the defence is strong.

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"But it's a really tough game. We respect Scotland, their players, their coach. Their results have been terrific and we have to be at our very best level to win. This is a top-level team who come here.

"I don't see it as a revenge mission, just as a game of football we must win. We owe that victory to the whole country. Scotland will be better than they were in Glasgow, they will be even stronger.

"I was convinced in Glasgow that we picked the right team and I will feel the same whoever plays here. You don't just win the game with 11 men, though, but with the whole group. We will be ourselves.

"We have great attacking potential, you win games in both boxes. Sometimes you don't need a lot of chances, just to take the ones at the important moments. There's a real good sensation about this team and how it's growing."

Spain have four Euro 2024 qualification matches left, following Thursday's clash with a trip to Norway, while they will take on Cyprus (A) and Georgia (H) next month.