Thomas Tuchel will speak openly to England’s players about what they should do if they encounter racism in the Nations League Group 3 decider with Spain.

This is the first time England have faced Spain in Madrid since November 2004 when they were beaten 1-0 in the Santiago Bernabéu, a game that was ravaged by obscene chanting. The nations were supposed to play a fixture in the Spanish capital in 2008, but the Football Association insisted it be moved to Seville instead.

Earlier this year, Spanish supporters brought shame on themselves again after a flurry of anti-Muslim chants marred a friendly against Egypt; they were fined $20,000 by Fifa and must play their next friendly in a partially closed stadium.

There will be a full house in the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday night, as the reigning world and European champions aim to defend their extraordinary unbeaten run of 43 games, and England head coach Tuchel is adamant the atmosphere will be in keeping with the occasion.

The German has, however, made it clear he and his staff will use their platform before the contest to remind England’s players of the steps they should take if the worst scenario unfolds.

Asked about incidents that had pockmarked this fixture before, Tuchel said: “I think I hear it the first time that this happens. I think it’s unacceptable. In any stadium, not even in stadiums, we will never accept racism. We will never be racist towards anyone.

“That’s just not who we are, and that’s why I expect, of course, full support from the Spanish crowd for the Spanish team. But we will not expect anything. And I think the referee in the games and the officials know about that. So I’m not sure if I make a separate top topic out of it.”

He added: “I think we had the same discussion before the Serbia game. There is a protocol in place. Yeah, maybe we take our five minutes to inform the players about the protocol if there is a precedent.

“I still think the protocol [players, coaches and team officials can cross their forearms at the wrist to make a “X” gesture] is in place, and it’s important that the players know about the protocol. And then yeah, we will give our answers if stuff like this happens. Best answers are on the pitch.”

Tuchel believes England are in the best shape to make a statement in Spain, following Thursday’s comfortable 2-1 win against Croatia. It is eight years since Sir Gareth Southgate took his squad to Seville for a similar fixture and orchestrated a 3-2 win, and Tuchel feels this group can do the same.

“I think we are ready to win,” Tuchel said. “It’s not a must-win game if you go to Spain. But I think the mindset is important that we got the win today to have this match, it would feel very, very different if not. So that is the first step.

“Now it’s important that we play with the same mindset that we played at home, and attack them and try to make it a physical game, and try to impose our strength. I think that’s what we want to see. And then you can never predict the result in football, never.

“But it’s important that we show the mindset that you speak of and the spirit, and we will. I’m very confident about that.”