No centre-forward, no Real Madrid players… and no chance according to his critics, but Luis Enrique intends to plough on regardless as he tries to build on Spain's semi-final appearance at last summer's Euros.
It's exactly three months to the day since Spain were beaten by Italy on penalties in the semi-final at Wembley and while there are new faces such as 17-year-old Gavi and 18-year-old Yeremy Pino there is also plenty that hasn't changed.
Manchester City forward Ferran Torres, Real Sociedad winger Mikel Oyarzabal and Leipzig's Dani Olmo shared false nine responsibilities three months ago. Tonight West Ham's Pablo Fornals replaces the injured Olmo, but there is still no out-an-out centre-forward.
Luis Enrique will be hoping his Spain team - with no centre-forward - can get past Italy tonight
West Ham's Pablo Fornals will lead the line for Spain tonight in their revenge mission vs Italy
In part the absence is justified. Spain isn't exactly blessed with options in that position right now. Iago Aspas, Rafa Mir and Raul de Tomas are probably the best three not currently injured.
With Aspas there seem to be an irreparable clash of personalities and the player has scored only two goals this season so if he wasn't picked for the Euros last summer then he was never going to be considered now.
The jury is still out on Rafa Mir since his move to Sevilla. He started well coming off the bench but the former Wolves forward has been less effective since an injury to Youssef En-Nesyri made his place in the first team at Sevilla assured. There is a reliance on service as opposed to ability to make something out of nothing that goes against him in comparison to the coach's false-nine options.
Espanyol's Raul de Tomas scored at the weekend and has perhaps the strongest claim but all have been ignored with the emphasis on wingers finishing like centre-forwards in the few chances Italy are likely to concede.
The jury is still out on Rafa Mir, who moved from Wolves to Sevilla but isn't starring just yet
Espanyol's Raul de Tomas has a strong claim to be in the squad but has so far been ignored
Not only are there no centre-forwards, there are no Real Madrid players either. Just as Luis Enrique can point to the lack of viable alternatives in terms of picking an out-an-out No 9 so too can he highlight the lack of selectable talent at Madrid. Even some Real Madrid supporters would struggle to suggest which of their players the coach should be picking.
Pino and Gavi are in the squad but not expected to start. The former was one of the revelations last season in Unai Emery's Europa League winning Villarreal team and has also been superb for the Under-21s.
Gavi will break records if he plays tonight. Aged 17 years and 62 days he will
