The Scotsman

Bale not looking too far ahead as Wales kick off campaign against Swiss

- By PHIL BLANCHE

Wales captain Gareth Bale insists his side are under no pressure at Euro 2020 to emulate their success at the tournament five years ago.

Wales start their campaign against Switzerlan­d in Baku today, with Italy and Turkey completing a tough-looking Group A line-up.

Bale is one of eight survivors from the Wales squad that reached the last four in France when Chris Coleman was in charge, and the Real Madrid star is looking no further than the crunch first game against the Swiss.

"I think it's similar," said Bale when asked about Wales' expectatio­ns heading into

Euro 2020 compared to last time out.

"Coming on the back of 2016 people will argue that maybe we should be doing things, but we have a different team and it's a different tournament.

"We have a very difficult group to get out of, which we had last time. We know the qualities of Italy being such a big nation with the history. Switzerlan­d are a top-ranked team and Turkey have proven over the last 12 months they've beaten some big teams as well.

"It's difficult to say who the favourite is, but we've got some very difficult games ahead and we've prepared for everyone.

"Our mentality is to try and get out of the group - and we'll take it from there."

In Group B, Belgium face Russia in St Petersburg tonight where the world’s top ranked team will be without injured duo Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel.

Denmark, who memorably won the tournament in 1992 as late replacemen­ts for Yugoslavia, host Finland in Copenhagen. Norwich forward Teemu Pukki is likely to lead the Finnish attack after recovering from ankle ligament damage suffered at the end of the Sky Bet Championsh­ip campaign.

 ??  ?? 0 Gareth Bale: One of eight survivors from Euro 2016
0 Gareth Bale: One of eight survivors from Euro 2016

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