Rafael Nadal has inside information on Milos Raonic but it won’t make a bit of difference unless the Spanish bull can execute in their Australian Open quarter-final on Rod Laver Arena.

Carlos Moya, who coached Raonic during his stellar 2016 season, joined Nadal’s team in December.

Toni Nadal, who oversees his nephew’s coaching team, likens the situation to opponents of Spanish football giants Barcelona – they all know the strengths of Lionel Messi and company but beating them is another thing altogether.

“Raonic is an opponent who is very complicated because he has a wonderful serve and you know it will be difficult to have many opportunities on his serve,” he said.

“He is the No.3 player in the world, which is better than us, but I think Rafael will have his opportunities to win. It won’t be easy, but we will try.”

Moya, a former world No.1 and long-time friend of Nadal’s, played down his influence on the highly-anticipated contest.

“I can probably give a few insights but in the end it comes down to Rafa – it’s not Milos against Carlos and Rafa,” Moya told AAP.

“I know a few things that can probably help but Milos is still evolving. He knows that I know these things so maybe he tries to do something different? It’s going to be like a chess game.

“But you need to be aggressive for the whole match against him … as soon as you let him in, he’ll do really well.

“It’s about trying to make him play every point on the return and being aggressive in the point and not letting him attack you.”

Nadal, a 14-time grand slam winner and 2009 Australian Open champion, has a 6-2 head-to-head advantage against the Canadian No.3 seed.

Raonic prevailed in three sets in their most recent meeting, a quarter-final encounter at this month’s Brisbane International.

The 30-year-old Spaniard is coming off a 2016 campaign cut short by a wrist injury, but Uncle Toni is delighted with how the ninth seed has progressed through the tournament after a longer break.

“For many years we have not been able to do this work (to prepare) but this year we did some good work in winter in Mallorca and we’ve come here without problems physically,” he said.

“This is important because when he has problems physically, he has problems in his head too.

“It’s tough when you have problems every year but now he’s playing without pain and this is very important for us.

“For this reason he is more happy on court and for this reason he can play better.”