Fernando Hierro has a plan to combat Russia's threat and end Spain's miserable record against host nations at major tournaments.
Hierro, who took over from Julen Lopetegui the day before the World Cup got underway, watched as his side limped through Group B after winning just one of their three games, and that solitary success was a scratchy 1-0 defeat of Iran.
But he is confident of an improvement against Russia to give Spain their first win against either a World Cup or European Championship host at the ninth attempt.
He said: "We have a clear plan in mind. We know Russia's qualities but we have faith in our work and we have players that anyone of them can really make a difference.
"We have analysed them, we are doing everything we can. The team have trained extremely well, my players are fit physically and mentally.
"We have strengths and weaknesses like any team. We've had to face difficult situations, we were twice losing against Portugal and we managed to react. We had a similar situation against Morocco.
"Tomorrow we start a new tournament. Often the better team is the one that goes back home. We need to believe in ourselves."
