KEEPING ‘IBRA’ QUIET, SORTING SET-PIECE AND HOW VOKES CAN PROVE A POINT
Wales take on Sweden today with the showdown with Zlatan in Stockholm the last chance for Chris Coleman to get his men ready for Euro 2016 action. With the long-awaited tournament opener against Slovakia in Bordeaux now less than a week away, the Wales bo
HANDLING THE STAR PLAYERS THINK of Sweden, think of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the side’s brilliant captain, goalscorer and talisman whose ability is only matched by his ego.
Of course, it is somewhat lazy and dangerous to consider the Scandinavians little more than the PSG (or will that be Manchester United) forward, just as it is when it comes to those claims that Wales are little more than Gareth Bale. Talented young Benfica defender Victor Lindelof , tough-tackling midfielder Pontus Wernbloom and rumoured Swansea target John Guideti are examples of the fact Wales will be given a very good test in Stockholm against a nation they have never beaten in six meetings, the only draw coming in the 1958 World Cup.
However, be it through the size of his personality or the size of his attacking threat, Ibrahimovic does have the capability to carry his side through. This, then, will be a good examination of Wales’ defence to show they are not dazzled or daunted by the star names that they will constantly come up against over the next month.
Coleman called the former Milan, Inter, Ajax and Barcelona star a monster the other day, one Ashley Williams will have his sights set on caging in good preparation for a vital tussle with Harry Kane in the second game in Group B.
SORTING OUT THE SET-PIECE STICKING with the defence, Coleman will want assurances that the miserly performances seen in qualifying are back in time for the finals.
Wales kept seven clean sheets in ten games on their way to France, but have since shipped five in three friendlies.
Throw in the two goals conceded in Bosnia and four goals have been conceded in four games from setpieces.
It will have been an area Coleman will have worked on during the last week or so in camp and with his defence at full-strength, there is no time like the present to get back in the habit of collecting those clean sheets.
In particular, getting the shape and stubbornness right when it comes to corners and free-kicks will be key ahead of a tournament where Wales can ill-afford to offer rivals dead-ball opportunities.
SUMMER SHARPNESS WALES’ preparations for France have been carefully planned down to every fine detail, with players seemingly responding well to the work -load and the schedule that saw them build up the fitness on camp in Portugal before getting on with the technical and tactical on
home soil. Several have questioned why Wales have opted against playing more than just this one warm-up game, wondering if they will be rusty when it comes to the kick-off. In contrast, England have played three games – their last on Thursday when they beat Portugal 1-0. Slovakia have also played three, including beating Germany, while Russia’s game with Serbia on Sunday is their second.
Coleman and his backroom staff are adamant they will benefit from the plans with players having been keen to avoid unnecessary games and now ready to get out on the pitch. While no-one expects this to be played at full pace or with a do-or-die determination in tackles and tempo, there must be evidence that Wales’ stars are sharp after their training and that the zip in their passing is there.
RAMSEY’S READY TO GO
COLEMAN had big praise for Aaron Ramsey in midweek and the Arsenal midfielder has clearly got a quiet determination about him to stand-out this summer, regardless of eye-catching hairstyles.
There seems to be a mood from the playmaker to really show his international class on a fitting stage and it will be a real tick in the box for Coleman if he knows he is going to get Ramsey at his best this summer. If he does, if he shows signs of being ready to dominate games like he can and with a confidence that could help bring even more out of Gareth Bale, then that will be a huge plus from this friendly.
VOKES’ BIG CHANCE
IT is always tempting to read too much into squad numbers, but seeing Hal Robson-Kanu handed the No.9 shirt for the tournament ahead of Sam Vokes was something of a statement. Robson-Kanu took the role for the majority of qualifying after Vokes had to battle back from injury, but with the former out of the Sweden game as he nurses a minor ankle problem ahead of Slovakia, this is a big opportunity for Vokes to remind Coleman what he can do.
The powerful frontman should be on the crest of a wave after Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League on the back of his goals and, having struggled to get going in the March draw with Northern Ireland, a big display from the big man could make Coleman think hard about his options for Bordeaux.
COPING IF THERE’S NO JOES
NEITHER Joe Allen nor Joe Ledley will be risked in Stockholm, the Liverpool man being eased back from a knee problem and Palace’s Lazarus-like midfielder not risking all his hard work to recover from a fractured leg in less than a month before the tournament kicks off.
The two sat behind Ramsey in qualifying brought a real balance to midfield and would probably be Coleman’s first choice trio if all were fit and well.
Andy King, though, is a player who is underrated by many and will be looking to prove there should be no fear if the bearded-one doesn’t make it back in time for Bordeaux or beyond. Allen remains a key man for Wales with the way he can move the ball quickly from defence to attack and Coleman will be looking for in-game nudges from the likes of David Edwards and David Vaughan, suggesting they can be counted on to perform his role.