There are few venues as hostile for visiting football teams as Istanbul. Tonight, the European Champions Spain will play in Turkey's biggest city in a World Cup qualifier, with the hosts needing victory. The noise and colour from the terraces will invade the senses of every player, inspiring the local heroes and intimidating their foes. And the Turks will be vengeful after Saturday's 1-0 defeat by the Spaniards in Madrid's Bernabéu.
Spain would have wilted in such circumstances in the past. While Spanish teams of yore were packed with individual talents, they never fulfilled their potential at the highest level of international competition. Last summer's success in Vienna was their first honour at international level in 44 years, their new-found steel and spirit finally complementing their unquestioned technical ability. Victory tonight against a strong Turkey side who reached the semi finals of Euro 2008 will see the Spaniards qualify for next year's World Cup as the runaway leaders of Group Five.
And Spain are in superb form. While sabre rattling Turkey coach Fatih Terim is right to say: "Of course we can beat Spain," after seeing his side miss three goalscoring chances on Saturday, he knows his own side's frailties, as well as his opponent's qualities. Unbeaten in a 30-match spell stretching back to a 1-0 home defeat against Romania in November 2006, Spain have won 27 of those games and all of their last 20 matches.
Coach Vicente del Bosque has a settled squad, with a surfeit of exceptional young talent in waiting in reserve. Saturday's goalscorer, Barça's 22-year-old Catalan defender Gerard Pique, was playing in only his second international game. Spain often thrive at youth level and Pique is already a wily international performer having played for his national side at various levels since he was a schoolboy. He joins a team showing the mark of greatness in winning games even when they don't play well. Being the world's best has given Spain endless confidence.
Spain boast top-class performers in every position from goalkeeper Iker Casillas to steely defenders Sergio Ramos and Carles Puyol, midfielders of the calibre of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Marcos Senna. Up front, Fernando Torres and David Villa are the deadliest pairing in international football. Crucially, Spain work best as a unit, their attacking passing game similar to Barcelona's in club football. The regional differences which saw divisions between Basque, Catalan and Castilian players evaporated after success in Vienna.
And the transition from coach Luis Aragones to Del Bosque has been seamless. While Aragones was unabashed and controversial in the media, Del Bosque is more guarded, a clever master who was an international stalwart before turning to coaching, where he won European Cups with Madrid. Spain are imperious and the only danger tonight could arise if any players are complacent or over confident. Which, given the competition for places is, frankly, unlikely.
amitten@thenational.ae