The match against San Marino is widely viewed as short order for Slovenia, but head coach Srečko Katanec has warned against complacency.

"Football has taught us that we cannot rule out anybody, everyone can set up a formation and defend their goal, and if you're not ready, you can encounter problems," he said when presenting the roster earlier this month.

Striker Milivoje Novaković believes that the match will be tough as the visitors are expected to focus on defence, which means that Slovenian players will have to be patient and wait for good opportunities.

Slovenia played San Marino twice as part of the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, winning both times (5:0 and 3:0).

Slovenia are currently third in group E with two wins from four matches and tied with Switzerland and Lithuania for second place. England lead the group with a perfect record.

With the next Euro qualifying match, a home encounter with England, coming only on 14 June, Slovenia have scheduled a friendly with the 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar for Monday.

"The important match is on Friday, but we are also going to Qatar to win. Every game in the Slovenian jersey means a lot to us," said winger Dejan Lazarević.

* Slovenia's squad for San Marino and Qatar:
- goalkeepers: Samir Handanović (Inter), Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid), Nejc Vidmar (Domžale)
- defenders: Siniša Anđelković (Palermo), Mišo Brečko (Cologne), Boštjan Cesar (Chievo), Branko Ilić (Partizan), Dominic Maroh (Cologne), Martin Milec (Standard Liege), Petar Stojanović (Maribor), Andraž Struna (Giannina)
- midfielders: Željko Filipović (Maribor), Josip Iličić (Fiorentina), Kevin Kampl (Borussia Dortmund), Andraž Kirm (Omonia), Jasmin Kurtić (Fiorentina), Dejan Lazarević (Sassuolo), Aleš Mertelj (Maribor), Rajko Rotman (Istanbul Basaksehir), Benjamin Verbič (Celje)
- strikers: Robert Berić (Rapid Vienna), Valter Birsa (Chievo), Milivoje Novaković (Nagoya Grampus)