Wales will feel they are one win away from qualifying for the knockout stages of Euro 2020 after a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their opening fixture.
Rob Page weighed up whether to start a striker and he was certainly vindicated in his selection of Kieffer Moore, who scored the equaliser to cancel out Breel Embolo’s opener.
Welsh attentions now turn towards a Turkey side who hardly gave a glowing account of themselves in their own opener against Italy, outclassed in a 3-0 defeat to Roberto Mancini’s side.
Baku will be particularly hostile to Page’s men. Azerbaijan’s close ties with Turkey means plenty of Crescent-Stars are expected in the city, but Wales players are hoping to harness that atmosphere to their own advantage.
“Having fans back in the stadium gets you more motivated,” full-back Neco Williams said on Tuesday. “If it’s going to be like an away game that’s going to motivate us, to make sure we get the win in front of their fans.”
Midfielder Joe Morrell added: “I think hopefully we can feed off the negative energy of the Turkey fans as opposed to the positive one. We can try and have the game on our terms, which is always the objective.”
The top two sides from each of the six groups go through and, with the four best third-placed sides also progressing, Wales could take a huge step towards qualifying for the round of 16 with their first win.
While it depends entirely on how the other groups pan out, based on the same system at Euro 2016 four points ought to be enough. Anything less than three points against Turkey could be disastrous, though, with a resurgent Italy awaiting in their final group match.
How to watch Wales’ next match
- Date: 16 June
- Kick-off time: 5pm BST
- Venue: Baku Olympic Stadium
- TV channel: BBC One and Welsh channel S4C.
- Live stream: BBC iPlayer
- Highlights: BBC One, 10.45pm
Team news
Page could stick largely with the same XI that drew with Switzerland, with Danny Ward making a number of impressive saves to justify his place in goal at the expense of Wayne Hennessey.
Aaron Ramsey could be rested to avoid playing two games in the space of five days and Harry Wilson would be the obvious candidate to replace him.
If Page sticks with a back four, Ethan Ampadu is set to start on the bench again with Chris Mepham and Joe Rodon at centre-back.
More from i on Euro 2020
- Eriksen’s collapse has thrown a spotlight on football and its relentless thirst for more
- ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ showing he has perfect blend of silk and steel to be a star
- Where Schick’s strike against Scotland ranks among greatest Euros goals
- Daniel Storey’s guide to all 24 teams – from hot favourites to no hopers
- How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/2SDQY15
Post a Comment